Peyote People Mexican Art Huichol Gallery, and Colectika Galeria in Puerto Vallarta Sell Beautiful Artwork Made by Huichol Indigenous Tribes in Mexico
We Interview The Owner of Colectika and Peyote People, Kevin Simpson and Talk About the Huichol People and Their Culture
Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
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That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right
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next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with our toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends
Peyote People and Colectika Gallery in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This week you are going to meet a very interesting guy, he’s Kevin Simpson, Kevin and his wife Beatriz are the owners of Colectika Gallery, and Peyote People Gallery. And they even have a new location at The Loft Condominiums in the romantic zone. And Kevin sells Huichol Art. I call Kevin the Huichol Whisperer. He’s going to take us into the world of the Huichols or the Wixitari indigenous peoples but before we get to Kevin, let’s see what’s happening in Puerto Vallarta the 30th of October, 2019.
12 Days of Celebrations of The Virgin of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta
Beginning tomorrow, the 12 days of celebrations and pilgrimage to the Inglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe here in Puerto Vallarta begins with over 360 processions throughout the 12 days.
All of the action takes place around the church of course. They say 180,000 people will be participating in the events over the 12 days.
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place last night, and the Malecon is all decked out and ready for the holiday. It’s a very colorful time to be in Puerto Vallarta that’s for sure.
Farmer’s Markets are Open All Over The Bahia de Banderas
Keep in mind, with the holidays coming up all the Farmer’s Markets and craft Markets across the bay are open and in full swing. Those are The Saturday Olas Altas Farmers Market from 9-2,
- The Saturday Market on Cuale Island BazArt from 2-6, There’s the Three Hens and A rooster Market at the Lion’s Club on Saturdays from 9-1.
- Sunday is the La Cruz de Huanacaxte Market from 9-2
- Monday: Flamingo’s Farmer’s Market at La Mega in Bucerias from 9-5
- Tuesday: The Riveria Farmers Market in Nuevo Vallarta 9-2
- Wednesday The Forever Spring Farmers Market in Bucerias 9-2
- Thursday Marina Market from 6 till 10.
- Friday is the Marsol Market at the Hotel Marsol from 9-1
So, plenty of options to shop and eat and enjoy farmers markets all along the Bahia de Banderas.
The Rio Cuale Mercado Turns 80 Years Old
And speaking of shopping, The Rio Cuale Market just turned 80 years old. Let’s read from Puerto Vallarta News Daily…
The Cuale River municipal market will be celebrating its 80th anniversary on November 27 for the foundation of the market and 40th anniversary of the construction of its current building, so tenants and municipal authorities invite everyone to be part of a series of activities that have been prepared for the occasion.
In a press conference this Monday, in which the director of Municipal Tourism, Ramón González Lomelí participated; Lucila Alcaraz Cisneros of the Economic Development area of the City Council; Josefina Ibarría Macedo, head of Municipal Markets and José Noé Luquín, president of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Market Río Cuale, announced the program that throughout Wednesday will be celebrated at the market.
The activities begin at 12:30 p.m with ‘Pepe and his Keyboards’. At 2:00 in the afternoon the anniversary cake will be cut and at 2:30 a meal will be held. Various games and raffles will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by singers and a folkloric ballet, ending at 7:00 p.m. with the Christmas tree lighting.
Lucila Alcaraz, shared part of the history of this municipal market, which began with the famous Polleras that in 1939 were grouped in front of the main square to sell chicken, toast, pozole, coffee, tamales, and atole; subsequently, they were located in the so-called Casco Viejo also known as La Rueda or El Volantín, in the space currently occupied by the market, where the building would later be constructed, which was inaugurated on November 27, 1979, by the then president municipal Eugenio Torres and Governor Flavio Romero de Velazco.
He indicated that over time, the market was changing the sale of fish, fruits, meats, and vegetables for handicrafts that today distinguish it among visitors looking for a souvenir, in addition to 8 dining areas.
The director of Municipal Tourism, Ramón González Lomelí, thanked the city for carrying out activities that strengthen the arrival of visitors to the marketing, including the recently remodeled bathroom facilities, and analyzing options to create content for visitors such as musical presentations or dances.
He explained that work is also being carried out on the signage that will be installed on Guerrero Street, so people on Miramar Street can easily reach the market, and an approach is also maintained with tourist guides and companies to carry out tours to the market, among other actions that allow reviving the activity of this important space.
I have a link to the article in the shownotes. Imagine that! An 80 year old mall.
And remember that many of our local Mexican interviewees, when asked about their favorite places to eat mention the restaurants on the top floor of the Mercado. If you haven’t been up,there for a breakfast or a lunch. You are missing out I’m telling you.
Puerto Vallarta Southside Shuffle 2019-2020
And… The Southside Shuffle is back. From Banderas News….
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – On Friday, November 29, 2019, and every other Friday from 6:00 to 10:00 pm through April 3, 2020, the Zona Romantica will come to life as locals and tourists alike head over to Basilio Badillo to do the South Side Shuffle, the only ongoing party of its kind in all of Puerto Vallarta.
Filled with art galleries, shops and boutiques that offer everything from fine art and Mexican pottery to folk art, jewelry and resort wear, Basilio Badillo has been known as one of the best shopping areas in Vallarta for almost 30 years.
Now in its tenth year, the South Side Shuffle transforms the always bustling street into a sensory delight. Every other Friday from 6 to 10 pm, you will find friends, neighbors and musicians while wandering up and down Basilio Badillo and stopping in to visit the participating businesses that offer refreshments and a festive shopping environment.
Although there are many galleries along the route, it is not an art walk. Nevertheless, participating galleries, like Galleria Dante, the largest and most eclectic art gallery in Puerto Vallarta, will be showcasing works by a variety of artists throughout the season.
Along the way you can stop for a bite to eat, a cocktail and conversation, or to dance in the street to live music performed by some of the best musicians in the Banderas Bay area. What is more, it is safe to walk in the Romantic Zone at night, which means locals and visitors are at ease while enjoying the only ongoing party of its kind in all of Puerto Vallarta.
The fiesta hits the street every other Friday from 6-10 pm, so come on out and enjoy cocktails, live music, and “Shuffling” between participating businesses on Vallarta’s best shopping street – Basilio Badillo.
In addition to the businesses that participate in the South Side Shuffle, there are many other wonderful shops, restaurants and galleries in the vicinity that are not to be missed while you are out Doin’ the South Side Shuffle.
And I have that silly little link in the show notes…
The Bahia World Music Festival At Oscar’s December 7-8th
The Bahia World Music Festival is coming to Puerto Vallarta December the 7th and 8th at Oscars Restaurant on Cuale Island featuring music from Mexico, South America Europe and the Middle East. There will be lawn seating, tacos will be available for purchase as well as Oscar’s great menu so if you’re in town, stop when you hear the music, don’t be afraid, walk to the bridge over the Rio Cuale and walk down that wide staircase down to Oscars. Entry is free. The food will cost you, but my guess is you’ve never eaten at Oscar’s. Now’s your chance. People think it’s expensive because it’s always empty. But it’s very reasonable. I have no idea when the music starts, but I’m going to make a wild guess and say around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. That’s Saturday December 7th and 8th at Oscars.
I’m Coming to Puerto Vallarta January 6-16th
I purchased my plane tickets and reserved the first 4 nights in an Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta. Yup, I’m coming back to paradise on January 6th for 10 days of recording interviews and exploring north and south and in the middle of my favorite place in the whole wide world.
I’ll be making announcements for a couple of meet and greets, so stay tuned in the next couple of weeks I’ll be filling you in on the locations and dates.
I’m flying down Alaska Airlines cheap rate for $292 round trip, non-stop from Los Angeles. They pick my seat and I board dead last but I really don’t care. Just get me down there. I’ll have to pay for one checked bag going down and back. I’m packing my inflatable queen size mattress again it worked so good last time. In the same bag I stuffed a bunch of lady’s clothing again. This time from another house I just closed escrow on last week. This lady had the nicest clothes in her closet. And she doesn’t need any of them any more. No, she’s not dead, she’s just moved to a retirement facility and doesn’t need all those clothes, so she was thrilled to have me bring them down to donate.
As far as the Airbnb, it’s high season so picking’s are kinda slim. The first 4 nights I’ll be staying in Malecon one again, a different apartment so we’ll see if it has the same internet issues as I had last time in October, but I’m going to do some hunting around for some interesting new places to rest my head, so I’ll let you know how that all works out. The bnb I’m staying in is $49 a night.
Now last week I mentioned my newest obsession, Mexican Candy. And how I needed to do some kitchen testing and more tasting and research, well, I’m still doing all that
research. It got a little sidetracked due to the Thanksgiving thing we had this week. I needed to cook. And I’m still doing the dishes for goodness sake, so my treatise on Mexican Candy will need to wait for one more week. I don’t know how much my pancreas can take, but as I always say, I do this for you.
But for now…let’s get to our guest.
Colectika Gallery and Peyote People Gallery in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
One of the first interviews I did almost three years ago was a walk on the Malecon, that Malecon Sculpture Tour by Gary Thompson. And it’s one of the episodes that wince about because it was one of the first ones, and I was just getting my bearings, learning some of the tricks of live recording, and it was a particularly loud day with waves
crashing and distorting the audio. It was a learning experience for sure. Now why am I mentioning that early podcast? Because our guest was actually on that podcast although
he didn’t know it. Kevin Simpson from Peyote People was part of the tour, still is by the way, and he explains the symbols, embedded into the Malecon. Embedded with river rocks, creating designs representing Huichol and local Indian tribes, and Kevin, explains their meanings as Gary walks along the Malecon, going from sculpture to sculpture.
A little history for you as far as the evolution of Kevin and Beatriz’s business.
In 1997, Kevin and Beartiz opened a small shop on Lazaro Cardenas where they sold Decorative items. As Kevin tells it…
“We went to Tonala and purchased candles, tin stars and other decorative items. After spending all of our savings our little store was still pretty barren so Beatriz said I should put the beaded masks that I had collected from Huichols in the store to fill up some wall space. It wasn’t long after that that Huichol started showing up asking I was interested in
more work. One day a young Huichol showed me a great mask bit when I asked the price it was twice as expensive as anything that I had purchased before. When I questioned him why the exorbitant price he explained the extra details including more complex color combinations and after listening to him I agreed. From that point on we offered our artists more money but also insisted that they use more complex designs in their work.
In the spring of 2001 a local became available downtown so after much debate we decided to move the store. By this time we had expanded our inventory and we’re now working with tribes from Chihuahua to Chiapas, the home decor had pretty much been
phased out so it was time for a new name. I had just returned from celebrating Easter with the Huichol si peyote was definitely on my mind but we wanted something that was more inclusive of the other tribes we work with like the Yaqui, Tarahumara, and Cora Indian, all of which use peyote in their rituals so Peyote People seemed to fit.
Over the next 10 year the folk art in Mexico underwent an enormous chance, primitive pieces transformed into complex creations that rivaled modern or contemporary art so we thought that it was time to begin showcasing another level of the folk art that is known as the Grandmasters after the Banamex foundation Grandmasters of Mexican folk art and hence Colectika was born.
Now with all the development on the south side of town we felt it was time to go back to our roots and open another Peyote People in the Zona Romantic to showcase quality folk art and chose a new local in the condominium the Loft on Lazaro Cardenas.”
So now there are three locations, each a little different but each with some beautiful pieces in all price ranges.
And now that I’ve set the table so to speak, Let’s go right now and find out more about Kevin, his beautiful galleries and the Wixitari or as they are better known, the
Huichols,let’s go to the corner of Calle Allende and Guadalupe Sanchez in Downtown Puerto Vallarta, and let’s meet the man himself, Kevin Simpson of Galleria Colectika, The Huichol Whisperer….
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Okay, can you imagine being Kevin and bringing home a Huichol. Hey honey….guess who’s coming to dinner!
Contact Information for Colectika Gallery Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Calle Allende, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: 52 322 222 1007
- Website: https://peyotepeople.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Gallery/Colectika-513417092090791/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peyotepeople/
Contact Information For Peyote People Puerto Vallarta Juarez
- Address: Calle Juárez 222, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: 52 322 222 2302
- Website: https://peyotepeople.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Gallery/Peyote-People-Huichol-Indian-and-Mexican-Folk-Art-Gallery-174157209331505/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peyotepeople/
Contact Information For Peyote People at The Loft Condominiums
- Address: The Loft Condominiums at Venustiano Carranza #268, Emiliano Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta
Talk about an adventurer. He comes down to change the world, then goes to time share sales and then Huichol whisperer and business owner. It just goes to show you that you never know where the magic of this place will take you now do you?
Like I said, I have some great pictures of the insides and outsides of Kevin’s places including maps and links and some beautiful pictures of some of these beautiful and fascinating Huichols. Go to www.puertovallartatravelshow.com and find them there.
Okay that should do it for this week.
Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through
him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really.
And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
Okay, thanks so much to Kevin Simpson of Peyote People and Colectika Galery in Puerto Vallarta. Thanks for introducing us to the Huichols. Thanks for that up close and personal look into this mysterious groupe of human beings. I have pictures of some of these beautiful Huichols in the shownotes, as well as links and pictures to all three of Kevin’s places in the shownotes. Make sure to stop in to one, or all of his places and discover the incredible art of the Huichols, the Yaqui, the Tarahumara, and Cora Indian tribes all who
use that special medicine, peyote in their rituals. And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!