Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Festival I Madonnari 2012 will be held from November 12th - 14th, according to the announcement made by the Puerto Vallarta/Santa Barbara Sister Cities Committee, organizer of this prestigious event. This seventh edition of this already traditional and colorful fiesta of ephemeral art on pavement, is sure to dazzle the senses. You won't want to forget your camera!

Last year over 130 artists participated in the annual street painting event, and this year promises to bring even more artists from the local and international community. Special guest artists will include: Anne Hefferman, Meredith Morin, Cecelia Linayao, Phil Roberts and Melody Owens; professionals who will be showing their great talent in Madonnari art. They will also participate in the judging of the contest.

Madonnari art had its origin in the Italy of XVI century. Nomadic artists were brought to the big cities and commissioned to paint inside the great cathedrals. Once their employment was done, they started to re-create the images on the stone floors of the cities. The word Madonnari comes from the fact that most of the images were Madonnas. The first documented festival and contest of this singular artistic expression was held in London in 1906.

In 1972 the first International Contest/Festival I Madonnari took place in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. Today it is part of a two-week festival to celebrate the Assumption, and the city’s streets are the venue of the celebration. In 1987, Wenner y Manfred Stader introduced I Madonnari to Old Mission Santa Barbara, California.

This festival is now celebrated in many countries including: the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, Thailand, and in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

For more information on how to enjoy, participate or sponsor the VII Festival I Madonnari Puerto Vallarta 2012, please contact javierart700(at)yahoo.com.mx.