By Jack E. George Via Baja.com

If you are looking for a Memorial Day Weekend, full of action, with no entrance fee, you will want to make certain to schedule time to visit the fourth annual Rosarito Art Fest. Aside from oil, acrylic, and water color paintings you will be able to see other types of art media including sculptures, drawings, digital art, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, photography, crafts, and folk art. In addition, the creations of area native Indians will have two booths offering their unique art work.

Handpainted wine boxes are among the folk art represented at ArtFest.

You will have the opportunity to experience the tastes of international cuisine available at the food court. There will also be plenty of entertainment, according to Committee Chairman Benito del Aguila, including blues, jazz, and opera which will all be presented live. Visitors can enjoy modern and contemporary dancing. The event will close with a special performance offered by the Baja California Orchestra. Aguila is extremely pleased that the art fest will be able to present this talented musical group.

Aguila said that there will be 150 tents offering art, food, beverages, and other interests that will surely offer something for everyone to enjoy. All 150 tents have been reserved so it is anticipated that the expected 18,000 people attending will enjoy at least several hours or even an entire day at the art fest. The tents will begin in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel and extend down to the Festival Hotel. The event opens on Saturday, May 25 (11 a.m.-10:00 pm) and extends into Sunday, May 26 (11 am to 9 pm). Aside from local artists David Silvah, Bearis, and Esau Andrade – to name a few — other artists from as far away as Boston, MA, along with Los Angeles and San Diego will be presenting their works.

Esau Andrade's work highlights Rosarito ArtFest.

Many renowned artists, as well as those beginning to create a name for themselves, will sell their items on display. There will also be artists who will create art right on location. All of the artists will be available to answer questions and discuss their works. Aguila is proud that the Rosarito Art Fest brought 5,000 people to the event during the first year. Last year, the number tripled to 15,000; he is excited that it will grow even larger this year. The biggest change is the growing number of exhibitions and visitors. This has resulted in the committee investing more money in the event. This is evident in the sponsorship of the Baja California Orchestra.

The Baja California Orchestra bases its music on our Mexican state. It is a chamber orchestra which has had as few as 17 to as many as 40 musicians. The orchestra offers musicians from many different areas. Although the performers are mostly from Latin America there are other members from the former Soviet Bloc as well as from the United States. The well-known orchestra has performed at the Alice Tully Hall, at Lincoln Center, in New York. They have also performed throughout Mexico and the U.S. They are considered to be one of the most prestigious classical ensembles.

According to Aguila, the Rosarito Art Fest was created as a way to promote Rosarito, local artists, and the culture. He said it is important to let people know about the talented artists living in our area as well as in other parts of Mexico. Aside from promoting the arts, the culture, and the community he said it is the committee's goal to work toward making this art show the most important one in northern Mexico. Since the attendance has more than tripled in size, it is obviously well on its way to attaining the committee's goal.

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