Much hard work went into making the first PVISS a reality and a success. While organized and primarily funded by Carole Turner and Dana O’Donnell, they are quick to point out that they owe a debt of gratitude to many.
They are thankful to all who believed that they could make this event happen and encouraged them to proceed despite roadblocks.
They thank the sculptors who came to Puerto Vallarta at their own expense, and worked so hard in the sun, and in sometimes unseasonable torrential rains, to create their sculptures. As this was the first such symposium in Puerto Vallarta, and the first to be organized by Dana and Carole, there was a learning curve and some logistical creativity, and they are immensely thankful that the sculptors tolerated inconveniences and took them in their stride. The PVISS 2010 sculptors were:
Tom Allan
David Alejandro Martinez Bucio
Martin Distancia
Birgit Grapentin
Won Lee
Jose Carlos Cabello Millán
Manuel Palos
Dana O’Donnell
Carole Turner
They also express their gratitude to the following who helped make PVISS 2010 happen:
The City of Puerto Vallarta, Mayor Salvador Gonzalez Resendiz and Monica Venegas Sanchez, Titular Subdireccion de Cultura, for allowing them to carve on the Malecon and providing 24 hours security and assistance.
The Peter Gray Museum and Buri Gray for their enthusiasm and support in hosting the exhibition of sculptors and the final exhibition of symposium sculptures.
University of Guadalajara, Rector Javier Orozco y Perla Alarcón, for embracing the symposium idea and offering support at a crucial time.
Frank and Gail Rudin and the Genius of Paco for hosting the sculpture exhibition.
Ruben Cham, for his inspiration and support, endless enthusiasm, coordination of exhibitions and press, for being their liason with the City and securing approval to set up the symposium work site on the Malecon, and much more.
Manuel Palos and Palos Talleres de Arte for the generous use of their outdoor studios for the first week of carving.
Martin Distancia for his technical assistance and stone procurement.
Diane and Ed Boice for sponsorship toward Casa Alexandra lodging for the sculptors.
Martha Socorro Iñiguez and her fabulous Coco’s Restaurant for generously hosting the Symposium opening dinner for the sculptors, and for her support and enthusiasm.
Eva Sánchez and River Café for generously hosting a wonderful dinner for the sculptors.
Jim and Eva Demetro , Irv and Donna Readerman, and Won and Hyon Chu Lee for hosting memorable dinners in their lovely homes and for their support and encouragement.
Marco Betancourt for his many efforts on their behalf.
And of course, they are very thankful to the generous Peter Gray Museum patrons who purchased large symposium sculptures and then donated the sculptures to the Peter Gray Museum where they will be on permanent display for the public on the museum grounds::
Fred and Dorothy Piontkowski donated Jose Carlos Cabello Millan’s “ “
Diego and Mary Mora donated Carole Turner’s “Memoria”
Buri Gray donated Dana O’Donnel’s “Embody”
Jerry and Ann Lafferty donated Won Lee’s “Chaotic Emerge”
Gray and Gray donated Birgit Grapentin’s “Enigma”
.
They especially thank the City of Puerto Vallarta and its citizens who showed up daily to witness the creation of the symposium sculptures and for not complaining about any temporary dust or noise.
Plans are underway for PVISS 2011. With the support of the City and sponsors, it will be bigger and better. For sponsorship information, please contact Ruben Cham at 222 8168 and 322 135 6303 and visit www.pviss.com.
To see additional work by symposium sculptors, they are represented by the following galleries in Puerto Vallarta:
Dana O’Donnell and David Bucio at Galeria Dante
Carole Turner at Galeria Uno
Won Lee at Galeria Omar Alonso
Birgit Grapentin and Tom Allan at Genius of Paco
