Customer on our Quality Olla's and Our response

One of our long term customers wrote us with this partial comment:

"It was great to see Carolina and getting an update on her family. Touring the Galleria, we were immediately impressed with the quality of all the pieces on display. There was not a single item that we would not prize. As customers, we can only surmise that the craftsmanship is improving through experience and competition; and/or, the selections for the store is more discerning, geared to the buying clientele. Regardless, the offerings are just fantastic. .......This time we loved everything, coming to a joint agreement on one piece was impossible. We look forward to the website when available, taking adequate time to decide on the next purchase.

Our response was:

"First, let me say that Carolina listens to what our customers say about the pieces available in the Galeria. That guides her relative to what they prefer in terms of the artist, colors, shapes, size and price. She actively seeks out new artists as they really will keep the Mata Ortiz Art available to customers and collectors for the long term. The younger artists are not afraid to challenge themselves and present a "fresh" look. Their works are more affordable as well. But, they still support traditional works. At the same time, the established Potters present the core of the Art and preserve its place in history. You should know that every Artist we buy from knows they can only offer us their highest quality work. Should they not, we simply do not support them in terms of more purchases.

Roberto, Galleria de Ollas Photograhper

Roberto Ornelas, Carolina’s son and our Website photographer, and three others students are enrolled in photography classes given at the Cuale River Center by the teacher Jessica Felix. The roof of both the classroom and darkroom were in very bad condition. The students refused to let these conditions be an obstacle to their studies and took it upon themselves to find facilities in different parts of town. While doing this, they also organized a photography exhibit called (Puerto) that will show their vision of Vallarta from a young perspective.

This exhibit is called (Puerto) because they wanted to surround it, (therefore the parenthesis) with their dialogue and vision to interpret what they see. The exhibition will be held in August. Roberto has already participated in the Wine Fest Display and they are actively looking for more exhibitions to show their graphics. Shortly, Roberto’s works will be displayed on our walls in Galeria de Ollas.

Roberto was asked where his attraction for photography started.

Roberto: Mine started when my mother, María Carolina, was taking pictures for the Galeria de Ollas Website. She asked me to take some pictures of Puerto Vallarta and that is when I found places in Vallarta that I did not know existed. I climbed the downtown hill with a regular camera and started to enjoy photography. After school I started to go out and take pictures from everywhere even riding a comlete bus route taking pictures.

Roberto, what do you consider is the magic of photography?

Roberto: To capture the moment in time and treasure it forever. For example, I took a picture of a girlfriend of mine and her young sister. Her sister died two months ago and that picture happened to be the last one taken of her and now that family keeps the photo as their treasure.

Tell us Roberto, is it your goal to sell your photos?

Roberto: That is not my goal. My purpose is to capture a special moment and that will remain in my photograph. Also, should you search through your "old stuff" in later years and find an old picture, that memory of the hope and happiness experienced in the past will again come alive.

Roberto heads for college in early August. We all wish him well.

Spring Promotion!

This May, the Galeria had its first online sales promotion. It featured several ollas at discounts up to 25% and was sent to all of our customers who have subscribed to our mailing list. We'd now like to offer the remaining ollas to the rest of our online customers. Although our pre-sale featured promotional codes the featured ollas will now automatically show as discounted in the three online galleries, just add them to your shopping cart and you will find that the discount has already been applied.

If you would like access to future pre-sales, or would just like to keep informed the news and highlights of the Galeria, Puerto Vallarta and Mata Ortiz, please join our mailing list by adding your email address and pressing the "Go" button on any page that features a "Join Our Mailing List" form.

This first promotion was very well received and because of this, we are considering a second early notice Summer or Fall promotion.

Additionally we'd like to recognize Carolina's son Roberto, an aspiring photographer, and his excellent photography that continues to make our website such a beautiful showcase for the amazing art and artists of Mata Ortiz.

Come visit with Carolina at Galeria de Ollas in Puerto Vallarta, add www.galeriadeollas.com to your personal list of favorites, and check back often to see the new Olla's offered throughout the year.