Galería al Aire Libre Axixic ⋆ Lakeside Guide to Ajijic, Mexico

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GALA, the Galería al Aire Libre Axixic, is an outdoor art exhibit on permanent display in the Ajijic plaza.

Photographer Xill Fessenden arranged with town administration to start this public art space in 2014 which changes themes every few months. At each opening, the artist(s) take attendees around the plaza to each of the ten pieces to explain more about them. The images are printed on special Trovicel paper that protects them from the rain and sun.

The current theme is called “El Mal Desarrollo” (bad development), about the potential destruction of the area known as El Tepalo in the hills north of Ajijic.

The next opening will be 6-8 p.m. on May 12, 2019, featuring photos taken by Xill Fessenden of elder women in Ajijic:

Last updated May 11, 2019

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• Ajijic

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Photos of Galería al Aire Libre Axixic

Photographer Xill Fessenden at the opening of the 'Bad Development' exhibit in December 2019. — Photographer Xill Fessenden at the opening of the "Bad Development" exhibit in December 2019.

The exhibit is about the potential destruction of the El Tepalo natural area in the hills on the north edge of Ajijic.

At each opening, the artists go piece to piece to explain more about the image. Xill put out a call to the local community to contribute any imagery they might have of El Tepalo. Here she talks about one of her own images of a camote farmer who works in the hills.

'This land is not for sale.' — "This land is not for sale."

Fine Art Photography of Lake Chapala

Kids pose as marionettes on a moving float during the New Year's Day parade in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

The Puppetmaster Adjusts His Sombrero

Kids pretend to be living marionettes while riding on a moving float during the New Year’s Day parade in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

Purchase This Fine Art Print

GALA's inaugural exhibit was a series of photos by internationally known photographer Marcela Taboada.

Another GALA exhibit was 'We Exist: Flora and Fauna Endemic to Ajijic.' This photo shows a mountain lion. — Another GALA exhibit was "We Exist: Flora and Fauna Endemic to Ajijic." This photo shows a mountain lion.

'Generations: Families of Ajijic' is another photo series that's been exhibited in the Ajijic plaza. — "Generations: Families of Ajijic" is another photo series that's been exhibited in the Ajijic plaza.

The 'Generations' series depicts 10 longtime Ajijic families in their homes or places of business. — The "Generations" series depicts 10 longtime Ajijic families in their homes or places of business.

Señora Hinojosa, seen in the previous image, points herself out in a photo taken 45 years ago and put on display in the 'Vintage Ajijic' exhibition. — Señora Hinojosa, seen in the previous image, points herself out in a photo taken 45 years ago and put on display in the "Vintage Ajijic" exhibition.

A girl competes in a contest for best catrina dressed as a bride in the main plaza in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico.

The Day of the Dead in Jalisco, Mexico

See this Photo Essay

The vintage exhibition shows Ajijic as it was during the early- and mid-20th century. The photo above shows how townspeople used to collect water from wells in the days before indoor plumbing. The bottom photo shows a view of Church San Andrés on Zaragoza street. — The "Vintage" exhibition shows Ajijic as it was during the early- and mid-20th century. The photo above shows how townspeople used to collect water from wells in the days before indoor plumbing. The bottom photo shows a view of Church San Andrés on Zaragoza street.

A photo from the 'Vintage' exhibition that shows a family in mourning before a burial. — A photo from the "Vintage" exhibition that shows a family in mourning before a burial.

The theme of another exhibition was the childhood artwork of present-day adult artists in Ajijic. This 1976 painting is by Jesús López Vega, a graduate of the Neill James Art Program.

A mariachi band, and a girl with a chihuahua, accompany the opening of the 'Vintage Ajijic' exhibition at the Galería al Aire Libre Axixic in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. — A mariachi band, and a girl with a chihuahua, accompany the opening of the "Vintage Ajijic" exhibition at the Galería al Aire Libre Axixic in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.