In a first for a Puerto Peñasco artist, the Mexican consulate in Phoenix held a reception for the opening of “After the Eruption”, a photo exhibit of the work of Jesusa Gamboa.
The reception is the start to a month long showing of photos that bring the beauty and mystery of the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve to life. The UNESCO World Heritage Site begins just outside of Rocky Point, and stretches close to the U.S. border in the north, as well as west towards the Colorado River delta. An area sacred to the Tohono O’Odham people, the Reserve encompasses both the cones of long extinct volcanoes, and the largest ‘sea’ of sand dunes in North America.
In an effort to open Rocky Point to types of tourism not normally associated with the town, the current administration of Mayor Ernesto ‘Kiko” Munro has sought to present different aspects of the cities culture on a wider stage. Newly appointed to create links between Puerto Peñasco’s art and culture Internationally, Maria Conchita Peralta worked to organize this event with the Cónsul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Roberto Rodriquez.
Mayor Munro attended the opening night ceremonies. While in Tucson as part of an effort to strengthen business and security ties between the two cities, the Mayor still found the time to spend with the many who attended. On hand also was Lic. Enrique Franco, representative for the Governor of Sonora in Arizona.
Set in the Mexican Consulate at 360 W. MacDowel Rd. in the Sala Carlos Fuentes, the photo exhibit will run through the end of February. In the coming months, international exchange will continue to be on the agenda, as Rocky Point hosts an International Jazz Day celebration in April, an exhibit of paintings on the subject of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Paris, France, and a visit from renowned author William Gordon.