It was 28 years ago when artists Chris MacClure and Marilyn Hurst opened their 2nd-floor gallery/studio on the corner of Madero and Guerrero in Cabo San Lucas. The 90s were the early pioneering days in southern Baja, tourism just beginning to accelerate, with resorts & golf courses sprouting up everywhere, but already a paradise for those ex-pats who had earlier discovered the beauty of Baja and planted their dreams here.
Artists have a sixth sense when it comes to finding those hide-a-way spots on the globe where the spirit hides in plain sight. Artists are innovative and MacClure and Hurst sensed the timing was perfect, for not just a personal studio for their work, but to offer a stage for other artists expressing art which would embrace the feelings of the magic Baja offered. MacClures’ belief that “art is romance” became The ROMANCE OF MEXICO theme for the GOLDEN CACTUS GALLERY in 1997.
By 1998, Golden Cactus Gallery invited artists Brent Heighton and Jonn Einerssen, along with a few of the best Mexican artists in Cabo to join “Team Cactus”. The romance began and quickly Golden Cactus became a benchmark for excellence in the fledgling art community of Los Cabos. Team Cactus were invited to showcase their art in many resorts in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose and their shows were a welcome fundraiser for many of the notable charity groups.
A few years later, Golden Cactus assisted a friend in opening the Old Town Gallery, in San Jose. The artists of “Team Cactus” were excited to have another outlet in Baja and threw their considerable talents into making San Jose a major art hub by developing and instigating the now-popular Art Night in San Jose.
As time moved along, the Old Town Gallery was eventually taken over by Dennis Fleming of Oceanside Realty and is now known as Gallery 1505, located on Obregon St. San Jose. The artists of Team Cactus still show their work and attend art night there on Thursdays, when they are in town. This February 6th 13th and 20th they will be on hand to meet and greet old and new friends.
This year, Team Cactus would like to offer a taste of the oldies but goodies and the golden days of Cabo via an art show hosted at the main office of Oceanside Realty/Gallery across the street from City Club in Cabo San Lucas. (address at bottom).
The show will run on Saturday, February 15 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, February 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
MacClure, Hurst and the dos amigos of the original “Team Cactus” Brent Heighton and Jonn Einerssen will be there in person for the show and of course, the public is welcome to come and experience the romance of Baja, through the eyes of these artists. Meet and listen to the tales and stories spun by artists who have lived and worked here for over 25 years.
Oceanside Realty. Paseo Del Pescador. Plaza Pioneros (Coincidence?) El Medano Cabo San Lucas.