What to do in Cabo San Lucas - when you can't go fishing!

The Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo, which has long been considered a unique treasure of Los Cabos vacation tours; where visitors stroll at their own leisure and pace, checking out some of the pleasantly breathtaking art that is on showcase every Thursday night from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, began the new season, October 25th with the appearance of Captain America and Wonder Woman.

The costumed couple were spotted sampling Sotol Tequila on a cool evening as they checked out some of the art on display at 16 different galleries all located within blocks from each other in the Spanish colonial restaurant and shopping area of San Jose del Cabo. The few streets of historic looking structures amidst the City's main downtown plaza at the feet of the Catholic Church is where the event takes place where all the high-end fine art galleries displaying original and varying styles of paintings, pottery, sculptures, photography, prints, silver and jewelry by local, national and international contemporary artists, open their doors with complimentary samplings of wine, tequila, and delectable Mexican treats. The galleries welcome guests of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose to enjoy an evening strolling through the friendly neighborhood of what is now famously known as Art Walk, which only takes place from November until June. During these special months and nights of the Art Walk year, galleries will often have an artist at work or in attendance to mingle with and meet, as part of a special evening or event. What many folks have termed an "amazing experience" is essentially a good opportunity to stroll through the 300 year old Historic buildings right out of a 17th Century time machine from Spain. It's a relaxing walk to enjoy before dinner; a good occasion to soak the fine authentic local and international art at any and all of the participating galleries, which have endured months of the city's downtown renovation project which has torn up streets and created havoc for travelers seeking to park or drive through the historically rich Baja California Sur area of San Jose del Cabo. "The talent within so much of the art is amazing," said Julio Lucio, "San Jose's a cool little old-school town with a pretty excellent collection of art. My friend has been painting a long time and sells a great deal of his work there and other cultural events throughout the year at Todos Santos and San Lucas. When I'm here, I like how they've preserved the architecture and character of this tiny slice of old Mexico. Even the street musicians who are out Thursday nights give it a really nice festive atmosphere. I still totally dig it and I've been living here 6 years." And while Julio Lucio is a big fan of the event; as are many others who have taken the stroll, including famous American writers Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck, whose prose was inspired by the poetry and feel of the quiet community whose Mexican friendliness remains intact even after hundreds of years. The Art Walk has steadily become a haven for world-class art even as the very same streets and buildings which have been greatly cared for and preserved endure the latest underground open street excavations and renovations which proceed and slowly wind down. "What started in 2001 with three or four galleries getting together and passing out pamphlets to draw people to their businesses," said gallery owner Patricia Mendoza, "Five years later began to shape itself into what it is today; a weekly event with more than 20 galleries, food, and music featuring free tequila and wine tasting in nearly all of the local shops." "It's been really successful," continued Mendoza, adding that, "The money people spend here at our restaurants and shops makes it the most important event in San Jose del Cabo."
"This has been a real success and we are trying to offer more new art," says Rosa Luz Trevino, president of the San Jose del Cabo Historic District Association. "We've worked on improving the culture for the artists, signing different artists, and improving the quality of art for the people that come here." A rising young artist of the Art Walk, is 28 year old, Ivan Guaderrama, who was born in Cuauhtemoc City, Mexico, and educated in the United States whose early successful shows at Art Walk resulted in the sale of so many of his works.
"If you want to do something very well, you have to be passionate about it," said Guaderrama, "I came here on vacation in 2010, because I really love the weather, really love the beach. I saw the surfers. It was all so beautiful, the energy, the wind. Sometimes in a big city, everybody is always running, nobody listens to you. I wanted some time for me." Guaderrama is now a member of the San Jose del Cabo Historic District Association and participates in the organizations' monthly meetings, planning the Art Walks' next season and looking for ways to enhance the existing art scene. "This is getting very, very big," he said. "We are getting more and more tourists and people who appreciate art. They are coming out more and more." For a city founded in 1730 as Mission San Jose del Cabo, the Art Walk has given the community a new face of international acclaim. Amber Gallery features fine Chiapas amber collection of perfume bottles, jewelry and sculptures handcrafted by the owner as well as Chiapas textiles and original local fine art. Arte Julien Garcia has paintings, metal sculptures and National and International art exhibitions. Barrio Latino is considered the perfect combination of fantastic Latin art and fine jewelry. Casa Don Pablo contains custom ironwork, original Mexican art, Talavera, wood carvings, fine silver and local Baja California Los Cabos historic photographs. Galeria de Ida Victoria offers paintings, sculptures, photographs by both National and International artists and is a custom archival framing studio. Owner Ida Victoria, studied art at Tulane University as well as the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City. The frame studio is owned by Peter Signorelli, who trained at the American Picture Framing Academy in Connecticut under well-known “Gorilla Framer”, Paul Casico. After studying with Margaret Walters, a professional preservation framer in Taos, New Mexico, he helped to build the gallery and framing studio. National and International modern paintings which embrace color, texture and self-expression are available at La Dolce Galeria. At Old Town Gallery, guests can see Los Cabos, Mexico as painted through the eyes of local artists and the gallery also has unique Bohemian crystal sculptures. Corsica Galeria de Arte, Muvezi Fine African Art, La Panga Antigua, Pez Gordo, are a few more of the talent laden galleries which comprise the wonderful, self paced spectacle of the Art Walk.