By Mary Spicka

The “Huatulco Being Benefit Art Exhibition” held on February 20- 21, 2015 at Mansiones, Cruz del Mar drew a huge crowd of art buyers, art enthusiasts and local supporters. The fourth annual exhibition was the largest so far, with 12 artists, over 95 pieces of art for sale and a silent auction piece by Carminia Magaña.

In addition to art sales, the Bacaanda foundation held a raffle for prizes donated by the Huatulco business community for popular goods and services. El Sueno Zapoteco artisans sold their crafts and bags of school supplies for the Rural Schools initiative. Mansiones, in Punta Santa Cruz, donated the use of their beautiful facility, which welcomed more than 350 guests to the event. Limon Bistro – Jane Bauer provided the tapas, and Re-Max Huatulco – Kino Healy provided complementary wine service throughout the evening.

Proceeds from the event this year totaled 44,713 pesos, and will be used to support Bacaanda’s newest program, the Rural Schools project which focuses on building, repairing and expanding educational programming in rural schools in the municipalities of Santiago Xanica and Santa Maria Huatulco.

The organizers of the annual Art Exhibit, Jim and Mary Spicka live in Huatulco, and Boise Idaho. Jim is an artist and started the event with his solo exhibition in 2012. His vision is to expand the Art culture in Huatulco, and provide support to a local community need. They are already planning next year’s event including adding a few new artists from the local community, and other event enhancements that they hope will give everyone something exciting to look forward to in February 2016.