Mexico City may be the hub for art in Mexico, but the trend to showing contemporary art in smaller cities is on the move. In Puerto Vallarta, a resort city on the west coast famous for its abundant art galleries, one gallery has planned an international art show around the color red.

Drawing on artists from Latin America, Europe, Canada, and the United States, Puerto Vallarta`s Gallery Omar Alonso`s Red/Rojo show will open on February 18, 2011 with paintings, sculpture, videos, installations and performance art of more than 20 artists.

In modern times, red is the most widely used color in national flags, sports, industry, packaging, cosmetics, fashion, graphics, and any cultural product that warrants attention. Red may also be the appropriate color to represent humanity in its uneven climb toward organized society. From kings to consumers red stands for privilege, loyalty, and stability.

Religions saturate themselves in the color red, as do national emblems of state. It is the color closest to our physical reality: the heart and its flow of blood cells, the movement of life itself. It is the supreme attention-getter: gaudy, provocative, determined, alive.

Installations and performances will be viewed starting at 7 pm until 9 for one day only. Refreshments, video, and music will take place in the adjacent streets to the gallery. The gallery is located at Leona Vicario #249 in downtown Puerto Vallarta. For more information, call (322) 222-5587.