By Ann Hazard
I’m
betting that when you think of “art” in reference to Tijuana, Rosarito
and Ensenada, that what comes to mind are the hoards of curio shops you
see everywhere you go down there. You know, those little stalls filled
with colorful blankets, piñatas, clay pots, silver jewelry, leather
goods and other touristy trinkets.
There’s more, however. Much more. In the last few years there has been a virtual explosion of galleries offering “serious art” in northern Baja. The artists were always there, they just lacked the money for canvas, paint and other supplies. They also lacked places to display and sell their work, not to mention encouragement and support from gallery owners who believed in them so that they could develop their talent.
This month I’m going to give you a quick tour of my three favorite art galleries in northern Baja. The first is the Giorgio Santini Gallery of Fine Art, located south of Rosarito and just north of the lobster town of Puerto Nuevo on the Free Road. The second is the Galería del Mar in the Arcade at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. The third is the Galería Berta Armas in Punta Banda, southwest of Ensenada on the road to my house in La Bufadora. Stop in and visit one, two or all three of these galleries the next time you’re in Baja. You will be amazed, I promise you! You’ll also be delighted. You might even find a remarkable piece of art that you absolutely cannot live without! And ... you will definitely be back for more!
GIORGIO SANTINI GALLERY OF FINE ART
In
May, 1999, Aldo Giorgio Santini opened the Galería Giorgio Santini.
He renovated an existing house and created seven spectacular showrooms
on four levels. There are three patios and a caffé, where visitors
can sip espresso, tea or wine and eat gourmet snacks while listening to
strains of classical music. Galería Santini is the largest privately
owned gallery in the state of Baja California and showcases the work of
the best artists from all over the peninsula. The atmosphere is unlike
anywhere else in Baja. Situated right next to the Pacific, with mountains
rising behind it to the east, it's a peaceful and relaxing location. The
facilities are spacious, elegantly designed and inviting.
Aldo Giorgio Santini was born in Rosarito. His family has owned this piece of land since 1952. His mother was Mexican and his father, Italian, so, although he was born in Mexico, he was raised in Italy and the Canary Islands. He opened his first art gallery in Milano, Italy in the late '70s with his cousin. After four years, he moved back to Mexico and spent several years practicing his profession of architecture until 1993, when he moved to San Miguel de Allende. There he opened his second art gallery, Galería del Pueblo, which is still going strong. In 1999 he returned to his roots in northern Baja, committed to creating a place where renowned local artists could display their paintings, sculpture, mixed media and glass art in an appropriately aesthetic setting.
"Painters who don't sell their work stop painting. They can't afford to buy more paint, because it's expensive," Aldo explains. "However, if their work is promoted, they sell, they paint more and they improve. This is a labor of love for me. I want to help them. We have the best artists in Baja here and we offer them a dignified space."
Most artists featured here are Mexican, but Galería Santini exhibits paintings by Americans, Europeans and Latin Americans who live in and around Rosarito as well. Giorgio envisions his "Rancho Santini" growing into an artists colony, similar to Todos Santos in Baja California Sur. He plans to add a foundry so people can sculpt in bronze and also to add studios and offer classes—so that little by little, it will become a haven for the art community.
Just 600 yards to the south is Santini's second Baja gallery, Rincón de Arte, which offers up more art and fine Mexican handcrafts. There are no curios here—only authentic pieces created by talented artisans from all over the country. In the spring of 2001, Santini will open a third gallery in the lobby of Fox/JVC Presents, the brand-new theater at Foxploration, Fox Studios Baja's behind-the-scenes movie park. Collaborating with him on this project is Berta Armas from Punta Banda.
Galería Santini is a magical place. The art is intense, alternately primitive and sophisticated with touches of surrealism here and there. There is passion, great beauty and a commitment to enabling the art community in Baja to unfold like the wings of a butterfly.
GALERÍA DEL MAR AT THE ROSARITO
BEACH HOTEL
Armando Gonzalez, owner of Galería
Del Mar, is known as being one of the most astute and discerning art dealers
in Baja California. Since 1983, when he opened the contemporary art gallery,
Contrapunto on Prospect Avenue in the heart of La Jolla, California and
then later moved back to Tijuana to open Galería Dimensiones in
Tijuana's Rio area, he has continually sought out talented, undiscovered
artists and then worked hard to develop and promote them. He has a knack
for spotting exceptional ability at an early stage. During his five years
in the Río district, he presented 60 individual and collective exhibitions
of top artists, both local and global—many of whom are now highly celebrated
artists throughout Mexico. These include Blancarte, Valra, Lameiras, Pereznieto,
Galindo, Moret, Mendez Calvillo and Pal Kepenyes.
In 1987 Gonzalez opened Galería Del Mar in Rosarito. For 14 years he has consistently presented a dynamic combination of established artists and those he believes to be the stars of the near future. He displays the work of Jorge Imana, currently celebrating his fiftieth year as a painter, Silvia Galindo, with more than 40 individual and collective shows to her credit, Francisco Merino, a long?time favorite, the French story teller/painter, Daniela Gallois, the conceptual works of Rosarito?born Ron Glaubitz, the extraordinary and often mystical works of Hugo Crosthwaite, considered one of the most skillful and dramatic artists on the West Coast today, plus the miniature etchings of Guadalupe and Enrica and the ‘batiks' of Raquel Roldan.
For six years, Gonzalez has a been a curator of the prestigious Galeria La Esquina De Bodegas at the Santo Tomas Winery in downtown Ensenada and at Centro Cultural Tijuana, Tijuana's main cultural center, with four major exhibitions there featuring Pereznieto, Gallois, Crosthwaite y Reveles.
Galería del Mar reflects Armando Gonzalez’ personality. With its friendly, casual and eclectic atmosphere, it invites the art lover to explore and discover that very special work of art that will truly enhance a personal collection. He delights visitors from all over the world with his wit, charm, knowledge of art, Mexican culture, customs and history, world film, gourmet food, fine wines, world travel, world politics and more.
GALERÍA BERTA ARMAS
An
hour and a half south of Rosarito, on the road to La Bufadora, you will
find the Galería Berta Armas on the outskirts of the tiny town of
Ejido Juan Esteban Cantú. You can’t miss the blue and white building
on the left hand side of the road. There’s a large abstract painting across
the top and two format paintings between the arched windows. Stop in for
a serious look around. You won’t be disappointed. Owners Berta Armas and
her husband Rich Wallstrom are friendly, informative and enthusiastic,
and Berta is gifted artist herself. Born in Chile, she’s been exposed to
art her entire life. After traveling extensively in Europe and South America,
she studied at The Laguna Beach College of Art and participated in The
Laguna Beach art Festival. She also spent a year in Chile at the Beaux
Art Academy.
The couple opened their gallery seven years ago as a community collective, with the goal of breathing some life into the Ensenada art community. “Since then,” Berta says, “we have all grown together. My relationship with my artists is a very close one. I do a lot of pro bono work. I give them supplies, stretch their canvasses and provide encouragement. I represent what I consider the most unique of Baja—new and established talent.” She goes on to explain, “My criteria for selecting the art is very personal. It must be contemporary, done with archival materials. Most important, I must see and find the artist in the work.”
Galería Berta Armas displays sophisticated, often high-end art and sculpture that tends to be expressionistic—avoiding perfect landscapes and still lives. Each piece reflects the personal vision of the artist, his or her unique perspective. Armas promotes a non-classical use of color and often quirky compositions. “In other words,” she surmises, “the work will surprise you. More often than not, it will make you think, feel and see things from a different point of view.” Among the artists represented here are Estela Hussong, José Hugo Sanchez, Francisco Merino Carlos de Latorre, Josefina Pedrín, Lucille de Hoyos, Ricardo Corral and Mati Ransenberg.
As mentioned previously, Berta Armas has been co-curator with Armando Gonzalez for six years for the Gallery La Esquina in Ensenada. She is also collaborating with Aldo Santini on the new gallery in soon-to-be-opened Foxploration at Fox Studios Baja (where the blockbuster movie Titanic was filmed).
© Ann Hazard, 2002. No part of
this article may be reprinted without permission.
This story is featured in Ann's newest book,
Agave
Sunsets.
Reprinted from The Coast News, February 22, 2001 and The
Baja Tourist Guide, March, 2001. The article on Giorgio Santini's Gallery
also appears in the 2001 issue of Baja Traveler Magazine.