Some credit naïf artist Manuel Lepe with putting Puerto Vallarta on the map for Mexican and foreign tourists. While John Houston may have brought Hollywood to the Bay of Banderas, it was Manuel Lepe and his paintings of Vallarta’s children, nature and landmarks that exposed Puerto Vallarta to the world. Collectors of his paintings include Queen Elizabeth, Fidel Castro, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O’Toole among many others. For his unique contribution to the art world Manuel Lepe was declared “National Painter of Mexico” by Mexican President Luis Echeverria. UNICEF will use 3 of Lepe’s paintings in it’s 2009 holiday card series. On April 17 of this year, Puerto Vallarta Mayor Javier Bravo convened a tribute to Manuel Lepe and more than one person at the event said “Manuel Lepe and Puerto Vallarta are one and the same.”
On November 19, Marcella Lepe (daughter of the painter and executor of his estate) will unveil 15 Lepe paintings that have been in her private collection and out of circulation since her father’s death in 1984. “My father loved Puerto Vallarta as I do and he always talked about how important it is for paintings to be parted with and enjoyed by those who see them and those who purchase them. To carry on his dreams, it’s time for me to share my collection with Puerto Vallarta and to part with those pieces that I know others will treasure like I have”.
Marcella is collaborating with one of Vallarta’s newest galleries, Galeria HabanaVallarta, to show the Lepe paintings and sell them at 4 benefit cocktail receptions on Wednesdays before the ArtWalk. “I need to sell the paintings if I’m going to be able to renovate my father’s home which now houses the Manuel Lepe Museum, Theatre Troupe and Children’s Art Workshop. I remember coming home one day with a painting from my father missing in my bedroom. He said he sold it to someone who loves it very much. I was very sad for a few days, and then I was able to connect to the joy he received by the joy others had with his paintings.”
Gallery owners Jeff Jackson and Maurice Monette see the exhibit and the benefit events as part of their contribution to Vallarta and to Lepe’s legacy. “We’re not keeping a peso from the sales. The more we can expose the art to potential buyers, the better for the museum, theatre and art studio for children.” Newer works of Marcella Lepe will also be on exhibit. The father/daughter exhibit will be the first time the works of deceased artist Manuel Lepe and his daughter, Marcella Lepe, will be shown together.
Marcella Lepe chose to work with Galeria HabanaVallarta for a few reasons. Marcella explains, “ from the gallery located in Casa de las Flores which is on the border of the Romantic Zone and Conchas Chinas, you can look out at Los Muertos Beach and across the town and you can see why my father loved Vallarta. Casa de las Flores also inspires me to renovate my fathers’ home in a way that preserves the best of Vallarta architecture and charm. The home-based gallery is the perfect venue to see and feel how a painting lives with people in a house.”
The 15 Hidden Treasures of Manuel Lepe are on exhibit between November 19 and March 15 along with works of Marcella Lepe and other artists.
For reservations to attend the cocktail receptions or to schedule an appointment to visit the gallery, call (044) 322-120-5242. To preview Manuel Lepe paintings, see
www.manuellepe.net.
The 15 Hidden Treasures of Manuel Lepe
A Charitable Benefit
Galeria Habana Vallarta, Casa de las Flores
Nov 19, Dec 10, Jan 14, Feb 11
4-6PM Cocktail Receptions
Reservations/Appointments: (044) 322-120-5242
www.manuellepe.net
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