Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - If you haven't been to the Peter Gray Museum lately, now might be a good time to visit. The trees on the CUC campus are in full spring bloom, and the permanent collection of art was recently rearranged by curator Bill Megrail to provide better flow and visibility. There have also been additions to the art collection, plus significant improvements to the physical facilities and our administrative structure.

ART ACQUISITIONS - We've added three major works of art in the past month:

1. Tapestry: The Museum was fortunate to be offered at a very attractive price the lead weaving from the Tapestry exhibition this past February. A number of our major donors chipped in to acquire the featured tapestry "Unfolding Knowledge II" by world renowned weavers Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie. It now hangs proudly and prominently in the Museum.

2. Barragan: Well known Puerto Vallarta naive painter Ramon Barragan is now represented in the museum through a generous donation of one of Ramon's most recognized works of art, "Detail from La Plaza." The donation was made from the Gail and Frank Rudin Collection.

3. Paco: Frank "Paco" Rudin from the Genius of Paco Gallery also donated one of his masterful contemporary paintings.

IMPROVED SECURITY - The rear entrance to the museum had been vulnerable to forced entry. We therefore asked local contractor and museum friend Miguel Vasquez to take a look at the problem and come up with a solution. His recommendation to add an exterior gate not only solved our security problem, but was artistically designed as well. As a bonus, to our delight Miguel volunteered to construct and install the gate free of charge, as a donation from himself and his daughter Yolanda Vasquez Calanchini, a food stylist and chef in Mexico City.

PATRON BENCHES - To enhance the viewing experience for museum visitors, four teak benches were purchased and placed at convenient intervals within the art collection. These benches are now available for "adoption" at a contribution level of 2,000 ps each. To adopt a bench, for which a recognition plaque will be attached, contact Buri Gray at 221 5285 or albans(at)pvnet.com.mx.

SUN SCREENS - Bill Megrail assisted by Meg Munro's husband Jorge installed cloth sun screens under the sky lights near the entrance to the museum. These screens will help to preserve art work placed in the hallway near the front of the museum. A special thanks to Sra. Gracia Olivares of Villas Maria in acquiring the screening material at a steep discount.

CHILDRENS' PROGRAM - We're particularly excited to announce the startup of an art appreciation program for primary school children from less advantaged neighborhoods in PV. This has been one of our key priorities over the past two years. We've set up two initial sessions in May, under the competent direction of our own Meg Munro and Ada Colorina, both locally known artists who are well represented in collections both locally and around the world.

The childrens' program will consist of some time spent viewing the museum collection, with explanations by CUC staff plus Meg and Ada, followed by an art demonstration workshop with the kids getting hands on experience painting under Meg and Ada's guidance, a visit to the adjacent reptile conservancy, and a light lunch.

The major advantage we see with this program is the encouragement of kids at an early age to appreciate art as a positive form of expression and enjoyment. Who knows, we may even help to plant seeds for a few of the kids to pursue hobbies if not careers in the arts. Our plan is to schedule additional art appreciation programs in the fall and throughout the 2011-12 school year.

ADMINISTRATION - The museum has been approved as an Asociacion Civil (A.C.) Our official name is "Patronato del Museo de Arte Peter Gray."

The Museum's Board (Patronato) has been expanded with the addition of two outstanding new members. Gail Rudin and Dr. Irv Readerman have joined the Board effective April 1. Gail brings considerable experience in public relations and marketing, and has served on the Board of the Whitney Museum in NYC for many years. Irv is not only a patron of the arts but an accomplished sculptor, working mostly with alabaster. Welcome to both!

We hope to see you at the Peter Gray Museum soon. The museum is located on the beautiful campus of Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUC) in the northern part of the city. To get there take Highway 200 North past the airport. Turn right at the roundabout just past Home Depot following the signs to the University. Travel approximately 2 kilometers east to the turnoff right to CUC. The entrance to CUC is on the right only about two blocks from the main highway.

Park in the lot to the right as you enter the campus. Then simply walk a short distance through campus on the tree-lined main walkway to the museum, which is on the left near the reptile conservancy. If you think you may be lost, just ask any student for directions.

The museum is open when the university is in session, from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.