Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - We all love our furry friends and consider them as a part of our family. However, there are many dogs and cats that do not have homes or anyone to love and care for them. In addition to community work for public health, making sure the dogs and cats are taken care of is part of the Desembocada Ranchito civil association's mission.

To help with this effort, Galería Vallarta has arranged a special art exhibit of paintings of cats and dogs by the Collective Condensado, a group of University of Guadalajara School of Plastic Arts students who have been working in coordination with the Puerto Vallarta Committee for Public Health on a project entitled "Art for Public Health" since 2010.

The inauguration cocktail will be held on Friday, March 30, from 6 to 9 pm at Galería Vallarta, Guerrero 187 #110 in downtown Puerto Vallarta. This is an opportunity to meet the young gifted artists who have received various honors for their art works, and also to arrange to have a special portrait painted of your own pet.

There will also be a silent auction of some of the paintings with part of the proceeds going to the Desembocada Ranchito Civil Association, headed by Ana Maria Silva Rodriguez, for the benefit of the animals. Also helping with this event is Rosy Carrandi, who has achieved success in obtaining reglamentos for dogs and cats in public areas.

The Collectivo Condensado has participated in several art exhibitions in our area, including one at the Club de Golf Flamingos, inaugurated by Nacho Cadena, Vallarta's promoter of culture. Lynne Benoit, the Canadian consul, opened an exhibit by the young artists' group on the Rio Cuale Island in January, 2012.

The members of this group, in spite of their youth, have extraordinary curriculums as in the case of Betina Enderle, a photographer specializing in documentary photography, surrealism and realism, recently showing at the University of Veracruz.

Also Mario Gutierrez, who was a finalist for the national prize in painting for "Jose Atanasio Monroy," and Marco Antonio Garcia Milonas, a talented sculptor who has participated along with the masters since the age of 14.

The Association Civil has as their objectives healthy populations along with the development of well being and social progress through cooperation of the community. They have no political or religious ties. We invite you to attend this unique art show, which continues at Galería Vallarta through April 15th. Donations of pet food will be greatly appreciated.

Barbara Peters is the owner of Galería Vallarta, one of Puerto Vallarta's most popular art galleries. Located at Guerrero 187 #110 in downtown Puerto Vallarta, Galería Vallarta has been presenting "art in all forms" since it's founding in 1989. For more information call (322) 222-0290, visit GaleriaVallarta.net, or send an email to webart(at)galeriavallarta.net.