Ándale Bernardo (2014) Jim Demetro

Ándale Bernardo, Jim Demetro – Romantic Zone, Puerto Vallarta

One of the newer sculptures in town, a recent creation by the well-known and talented Jim Demetro. A sculpture that mixes the old traditions of the miners and the Mexican town spirit.

Puerto Vallarta is known for art and cultural activity, the Malecon is brimming with sculptures and galleries as this statue and sculpture guide attests. A new jewel has now been added to this long and unique list of attractions.

February 28th, 2014 at 6:30 PM the Puerto Vallarta local government’s Cultural Institute inaugurated together with the Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood Association accepted the donation of a new and beautiful bronze sculpture created by Jim Demetro.

Inauguration “Ándale Bernardo” (the burro sculpture) with Jim Demetro, 2014

“Ándale Bernardo” (Come on! Bernardo) is the culmination of more than 2 years of work by the artist and it is now part of Lázaro Cárdenas Park.

It depicts two boys, one with some carrots, another pushing a stubborn burro (donkey) and a dog “helping” too.

The sculpture is intended to be interactive so tourists and locals will be able to climb on the back and get their photo taken. What’s a trip to Vallarta without a photo riding on a burro!

The inauguration was led by Jim Demetro together with the Vallarta Cultural Institute director, Sergio Zepeda, in front of a large crowd of spectators and tourists that came to enjoy the event.

Ándale Bernardo, Jim Demetro – Lázaro Cárdenas Park, Puerto Vallarta

The plaque under the sculpture states:

This sculpture is dedicated to all the donkeys that helped in the construction and development of Puerto Vallarta.

A very special thanks to Isabel and David Manore of Casa Isabel and all the other people who contributed to make it possible.

Sculptor Jim Demetro 2014

Ándale Bernardo (2014) Jim Demetro and Christina Demetro

Jim Demetro explains that the sculpture honor the hard-working burros, they helped in the past moving salt from the sea to the mines up in the Sierra and more recently hauling building materials up the hills of the town (don’t forget Burro Polo, another attraction in the 1960s into the ’70s). This honor also includes workers, residents, and visitors that make Puerto Vallarta such a wonderful place.

This is not the first sculpture by this artist as you can enjoy “The Washer Woman” by the Molino de Agua pedestrian bridge on Olas Altas beach, the “Vallarta Dancers” on the Malecon II, The Lovers (Liz Taylor and Dick Burton) at Casa Kimberley and The Fishermen at Los Muertos Beach.

Andale Bernardo Romantic Zone, Puerto Vallarta

The park languished for a period after it was remodeled to accommodate an underground parking lot with 183 spaces. Volunteers from Puerto Vallarta Garden Club, help from the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, water from the SEAPAL and a large number of sponsors in the area, the park came back to life.

Jim Demetro is from Battle Ground in Washington state. Since 1992, he has worked sculpting professionally and has produced nearly 50 works of public art.

During his 13 years living in Puerto Vallarta, he has donated a number of public sculptures to his favorite city including these iconic Vallarta Dancers on the Malecon, one in front of Molino de Agua condos, The washerwoman, The Fishermen on Los Muertos Beach, Ándale Bernardo (the donkey statue) at Lázaro Cárdenas Square and other statues around town.

Artist Gallery Website: http://demetro.net/

The “burro” sculpture is located in the now-called Romantic Zone (Old Town) south of the Cuale River and Puerto Vallarta’s “centro”, the downtown area and the main square, it is part of the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood on the west side of the Lazaro Cardenas square.

Lazaro Cardenas Park is right in the heart of the Romantic Zone or Old Vallarta. Its name is in honor of the Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas (1895-1970) that is known for having nationalized the Mexican oil industry in 1938.

The park is right beside Olas Altas beach a block north from Basilio Badillo where Playa Los Muertos beach starts to the south.

The Park is, since Nov. 2013, also the location of the Olas Altas (ex-Old Town) Farmers’ Market (Tianguis Cultural) each Saturday (from November to March). The Xiutla Folkloric Ballet has shows here too, every Friday at 7:30 PM from November to April and Mexican events (Viva Vallarta and Expos), shows, Zumba and more.

Author: M. A. Gallardo