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Plenty of art and culture: Two years ago I visited several Art Galleries in San Jose and was smitten by the fantastic creations of Mexican Artists. Last month, I came to San Jose again and discovered even more street art and many new additional galleries. These art galleries exhibit work mainly by local artists. There is even an Art Walk that takes place every Thursday!
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Art District Art Walk:
From November to June in downtown San Jose del Cabo, galleries and shops stay open late on Thursday nights for Art Walk — it’s essentially a big block party with live music! But you can do your own art walk around town if you come on another day. Just wander around and stroll the picturesque streets. The San Jose del Cabo Art Walk takes place every Thursday evening from November to June. The event begins at 5 pm and ends at 9 pm. The best time to attend is from 6 pm to 8 pm when the galleries are most vibrant.
Here are Some Famous Galleries:
Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery
Situated on Alvaro Obregon, the main pedestrian thoroughfare on Art Walk nights, this contemporary art gallery features religious-themed paintings, prints, and sculptures. Guaderrama, a native of Chihuahua, is creating specialized software and hardware and applying them to his works of art. Ivan’s paintings, most with a religious or devotional theme, not only produce sounds when touched but also come alive with the use of a self-developed application for both iOS and Android technology. Paintings show hearts and angels and form a permanent composition of his work.
Frank Arnold Gallery
An abstract figurative painter and sculptor, Frank Arnold divides his time between Mexico City and a working studio, home, and gallery he designed on Calle Comonfort. The New York Times has described his spacious gallery as “one of the must-see sites in Los Cabos,” and with reason. Arnold’s expressive oil paintings, displayed in private and corporate collections, in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. and Mexico, depict abstract solitary figures that appear both personal and universal.
Patricia Mendoza Art Gallery
Located on a quiet side street within the Art District, this contemporary art gallery, presided over by the personable Ms. Mendoza, reflects her life-long passion for art. The gallery space was specifically created as a place where Mexican artists, both established and up-and-coming, could show their work. The gallery more than succeeds in expanding awareness of leading Mexican artists.
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Tree Bark Art Gallery
This gallery, showcasing the Paper Amate of Pueblo, is my favored place! The Santos Salvador family of San Pablito, high in the mountains of Pueblo are recognized for their creative designs in paper amayte, the hand-hammered bark paper. The art of bark paper making was hidden from Spanish invaders by the Juju tribes and survived through the centuries because the spirits and gods cut from bark were, and is used by the Nuju in their spiritual work.
The paper made by the family has received national and international awards for its combination of delicate and imaginative cuttings. The paper is made from the bark of the Jonote Tree. The Nuju people cook the pulp to prepare it to receive the color from natural dyes of flowers, ash, earth, bark, and other plants.
The bark is laid out and hammered with a flat stone until the grids merge, creating sheets of solid paper and dried in the sun. In addition to the cut paper, the Santos Salvador family has developed several interesting methods of decorating the bark paper with paper patterns and textures by adding intricate beadwork and fine stitchery into the weaving - ancient skills that are still used by the Nuju women.
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Recently, the Historic Center of San Jose del Cabo entered the program
“Magic Neighborhoods” of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, which
distinguishes emblematic places located in capital cities or points of the
interior of the country, reflecting the spirit and essence of a city.
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Shop for Handicrafts in Town
Every block is filled to the brim with handicrafts. I literally could have bought everything! Some things you will see and want to buy are hand-woven straw bags, flowy beach cover-ups, Mexican-made textiles, wide-brimmed beach hats, and delicious Mexican honey and coffee.
Explore the Town of San Jose del Cabo
On my first-ever trip to Baja California, I didn’t even realize there was a small town close to the airport to explore! It’s recently gotten pretty trendy, with bohemian shops, artistic restaurants, a serious cocktail scene, and lots of colorful cafes and galleries. You’ll easily find lots of traditional Mexican charm over here. The beautiful San José Missionary Church, rebuilt in 1940, faces Plaza Mijares in the heart of the historic district.
Two Towns Have Cabo in the Name
These two towns couldn’t feel more different from each other despite being only 30 minutes apart! There’s San Jose del Cabo (the quieter of the two and way more cultural with its historic colonial buildings and art galleries), and Cabo San Lucas (known for its wild spring break nightclubs and beach activities). Being on the tip of the Baja California Sur, the area has easy access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
Don’t only land or depart at San Jose airport. Rather spend a day or two in this lovely town, or choose it as your vacation spot. For those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere with plenty of art and culture, San Jose del Cabo is the perfect choice. The town also boasts several beautiful beaches. And It doesn’t hurt that there’s perfect weather 99% of the time!
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