Malecon Sculpture Tours Continue Through the Season

After officially starting its eleventh season this past November, the Free Malecon Sculpture Tour that is sponsored by Galeria Pacifico and led by its owner, Gary Thompson now takes place every Tuesday morning at 9:30 through the middle of April. No reservations are required and one must only show by 9:30 am at the “Millennium” sculpture next to the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon boardwalk.

The tour starts with artist Mathis Lidice explaining the symbols included in his “Millennium” installation and the story behind its creation. Thompson then talks about each sculpture as the group walks south along the Malecon, while Kevin Simpson of Collectika and Peyote People galleries explains the numerous symbols in relief in the pavement that relate to the belief system of the Huichol indians who live in the Sierra Madre Mountains northeast of Puerto Vallarta. The tour takes about two hours, but Thompson looks for seating in the shade at each sculpture whenever possible.

The tour ends at nearby Galeria Pacifico´s location at Aldama 174 where free beverages are provided and on most weeks the artist Jim Demetro is present to talk about his sculptures in PV, which include the “Dancers of Vallarta,” “Woman Washing Clothes,” and the burro sculpture in Lazaro Cardenas Park, “Andale Bernardo.”

A representative of Puerto Vallarta’s Los Mangos Library is also present to accept no-pressure donations, since the important cultural center receives only a tiny fraction of its operating budget from the government. More information on the tour can be found at Galeria Pacifico’s website, www.galeriapacifico.com, or by calling at (322) 222-1982.