Guadalajara Reporter

News and event from Lake Chapala's world of art.

Meet the artist

This year’s first artist to present in the “Meet the Artist” series at La Bella Vida gallery will be Nancy Gray. The oil painter and teacher paints in a European 19th century style, but with a bright Mexican color pallet. The reception will be held in the courtyard of La Bella Vida, located at Calle 16 de Septiembre 4b (one half block east of Colon) on Saturday, January 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo reminder

All photographers, amateurs, professionals and students need to submit their entries for the Second Annual Photo Contest by February 1. Grand prizes for the contest are a color photo spread of winning photos in the Guadalajara Reporter and a month-long exhibit at the new Quattro Gallery, where the winning entries will be for sale. Other prizes include a prominent page in the 2011 Quattro appointment book and a T-shirt with your winning entry on it.

The judges will be former Italian photojournalist Maria Di Paola Blum of Galeria Di Paola, Xill Fessenden, who has been represented in many national and international exhibits, galleries and collections. She’s known for her social performance and ecological concerts and is the co-owner of Galeria Fotosintesis Fessenden/Ford at the Efren Gonzalez Art Center in Ajijic.

Finally, Rebecca Ford, a creative and innovative photographer, relatively new to the Lakeside area and the winner of last year’s contest. She already has several solo exhibits in many galleries in the area.

The theme this year is “La Vida en Chapala – Life in Chapala.” It can be foreign life, Mexican life or just your life at Chapala. It can be people, animals, scenic vistas, the lake, whatever the photographer thinks symbolizes life in this municipality.

Contestants may enter in more than one category; but not with the same photo. Amateurs can enter into the professional category; but not vice versa. Adults may not enter the student category. Fees are 50 pesos per photo for amateurs, 80 pesos per photo for professionals and just 40 pesos for students.

Only prints will be accepted (for students, at least 5” by 7”, for amateurs and professionals at least 8” by 10”). No CDs or emailed photos will be accepted. Photos may be submitted in color or black and white and any kind of camera can be used, film or digital.

Amateur and professional entrants must mat their photos. If your entry is selected as a winner or Honorable Mention, you will be asked to frame the photo. Pick up entry forms at Quattro Gallery or at the cultural centers in Chapala and Ajijic.

For more information on the contest, please call Jill Flyer at 766-3025 or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Feria Artes Ajijic

The Ajijic Art Fair will take place in the new Centro Laguna mall on the libramiento facing Walmart on Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14 with Saturday hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Chapala Mayor Jesus Cabrerra officially opening the event on Saturday at 11 a.m.

This year 52 artists from Lakeside and from Guadalajara will exhibit their work: paintings, engravings, drawings, sculpture, photography, glass art and more in the modern and elegant environment provided by the new mall’s courtyards.

This art show of professional level is an extension of the previous art walks in Ajijic, which, however, did not allow for other gifted artists from out of town to join. The sponsoring organization, Laguna Artes Plasticas, see such an annual inter-regional single-location event with hundreds of exhibiting artists and thousands of visitors in the future, and believe it will complement the growing reputation of Ajijic as an artists’ village and help develop local tourism and the economy of the area.

Two agaves, no Tequila

Local poet Bill Frayer and the local Lake Chapala Women Writers, Gloria Palazzo, Emilia Stevens, Gloria Marthai, Teresa Kendrick, Zofia Barisas, Susan Miller, Judy Dykstra-Brown, Nina Discombe and Harriet Hart, will hold a joint book-signing event Thursday, January 28, 11 a.m. at Casa del Sol B&B, Javier Mina 7 in Ajijic.
Frayer will be reading from his new poetry collection, “Agave Blood,” and the women will be reading from their class anthology, “Agave Marias.” Refreshments will be provided.