Cultural center
An exhibit featuring the work of three talented Lakeside artists opens with a reception at the Ajijic Cultural Center (on the main plaza) on Saturday, January 7, 4-8 p.m.
Sala I will host drawings and paintings by San Juan Cosala artist DePaul Durham. He refers to his unique style of social and political commentary as “Cartoon Realism.” The show is titled “Cuentos de Camino” (Wayside Stories) and is a syncretism of Latin American legends, with mythical creatures such as witches, phantoms and ghosts combined with African spirits of the water, forests and mountains and European fables and folk tales.
Upstairs in Sala 2, well-known Ajijic artist Jesus Victoriano Lopez Vega shows new magical surrealistic works inspired by the indigenous culture and folk traditions of Lake Chapala.
Lopez Vega’s works will be accompanied by those of his 17-year-old son, Jesus Eduardo Lopez Garcia, who is making his debut art exhibit with a new and distinctive concept entitled “Graffiti.” The paintings are satirical, combining letters, animal elements and colors clearly influenced by his father.
A concert of the classical sarode and tabla music of India by Michael Robbins, Alvaro Rubio and others will take place on the downstairs stage. Guitar music by Macho Hinojosa and Jose Luvian of “Strings” will be provided in the upstairs Sala.
Entrance is free, so be sure to catch this wonderful evening of fine art, music, snacks and cocktails. The exhibition will remain in place until January 19.
Dimitar
Artist Dimitar Krustev is holding a “Half-off Holiday Sale” of works currently on exhibit at David’s Restaurant on Hidalgo, just west of the Ajijic Plaza. Stop by and see Krustev’s oil paintings and drawings of Lake Chapala, as well as several other locations in Mexico and around the world. The sale is on through the end of January.
Meet the artist at David’s on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get a fine piece of artwork for yourself or as a gift.
Anita Lee
Oil and pastel paintings by Anita Lee will be featured at an opening at Galeria Sol Mexicano on Wednesday, December 28, 3 p.m.
When Lee was nine years old she was presented with a set of 48 pastels. That first experience combined with the easy portability of pastels carried her through three countries and six cities, where she continually produced her art utilizing the bold colors she treasured in pastels.
“With pastels I can take the beauty of the world around me and make it my own,” she says. “Like the impressionists who experimented with light and color, I am challenged by portraying the incredible light of Mexico with my own vision.”
Lee has taught high school art in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and after moving to Lakeside from California, she continued her work as a volunteer for three years at the Lake Chapala Society children’s art program.
The exhibition will remain up until January 11. Sol Mexicano Galeria del Arte is located at Colon 13. The telephone number is 766-0734.
Lessons
Belva Velazquez will continue her Monday morning (10 a.m. to noon) drawing classes and Thursday morning (10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) watercolor classes in January. The space in the beautiful studio located at 16 de Septiembre 7 in Ajijic is limited, so sign up now. Contact Velazquez at 766-0162 or (cel.) 33-13-07-0669.
At San Pedro
A group of artists, including Dan Noll, Deena Hafker, Kathy Fallon, Kit and Bill Vincent, Dona Johnson, Linzy and others, are participating in an art show in tandem with the “Malt Shop Memories” musical that opens on January 5. The exhibition will be held at the San Pedro Gallery (formerly Sol y Luna), Rio Bravo 10 in west Ajijic. There will be an estate collection of glass paperweights and other art glass that has been appraised and will be put on display by Larry Allen.
Malt Shoppe
“Malt Shoppe Memories,” a new production by My, My, How Nice! Productions, plays for six performances on consecutive Thursdays and Fridays in the first two weeks of January.
The show features songs from the Beach Boys, ABBA, The Platters, Buddy Holly, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis and many more (30 songs in all).
Two couples from Canada who form “The Satiniques” have been doing the show for several years on their home turf to sold-out houses.
Dates are Thursday and Friday, January 5 and 6, 7:30 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday, January 12 and 13, 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be held on January 6 and 13 at 3 p.m.
The venue is Plaza Riberas (formerly Sol y Luna) at Rio Bravo 10 in west Ajijic.
Tickets are 200 pesos and are on sale at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The bar and an art show will open one hour before the performance.