Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Local sculptor Jim Demetro is currently working on his latest public sculpture: a life-size rendition of a typical Vallarta scene: a couple of young boys are struggling to drive their stubbornly reluctant burro.. to the crop field? across the river? for a fun ride? Maybe we will never know!

What we will certainly have the opportunity to know is how Maestro Demetro will build his soon-to-be gift to the City of Puerto Vallarta, as he invites everyone to stop by and watch him work on the terrace of Oscar’s Galería on the Rio Cuale most every day from 10 am to 3 pm.

Demetro will donate the life-size bronze piece to the City of Puerto Vallarta, which provides the space, but not the funds for public art works. To help fund the project, a fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 3 from 2-5 pm at Casa Isabel Restaurant and Boutique Hotel.

Overlooking Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romantica, Casa Isabel is the perfect place to enjoy the cocktails, fabulous food, silent auction, music and dancing to be offered at the $350 peso per person fundraising event. Owner Isabel Manore is generously donating 100% of the ticket proceeds to the project.

During the event, you'll also have the opportunity to purchase a limited edition bronze model of the sculpture to help fund the public art piece.

Originally from Battle Ground, Washington, Demetro has been sculpting professionally since 1992, and has created almost 50 public art pieces. In the 13 years that he has been living in Puerto Vallarta, he has donated two public sculptures to the city: the iconic "Vallarta Dancers" on the Malecón and the "Washer Woman" in front of Molino de Agua, who was the inspiration for his current project.

According to Jim, "The indigenous 76-year old model had actually washed her family’s clothes in the River Cuale, coming down with her burro loaded with laundry baskets. She described how burros were important in everyday life, hauling materials for the buildings on the hillside more than 25 years ago, for example. I knew then that I wanted to sculpt a life-size burro in bronze, especially since there are only a couple of burros that are regularly brought into town now. I want to preserve their history for future generations."

Don't miss your chance to be a part of PV's vibrant art scene! Tickets for the March 3rd "Burro Party" can be purchased in advance at Casa Isabel, Lucy's Cucu Cabana on Basilio Badillo on PV's South Side, Galería Pacifico on Aldama Street in El Centro, or from Jim at the gallery above Oscar's Restaurant on the River Cuale.

"Puerto Vallarta is known for its appreciation of artwork. I’m grateful so many people have joined me in my mission to make meaningful art that preserves the cultural heritage of this special place," Jim says.

To learn more about Jim and his art, please visit JimDemetro.com, or send him an email at jimdemetro1(at)gmail.com