Museo Galeria Josefina

At one end of the spectrum of Nicaraguan art, one finds unknown and "undiscovered" artists and artisans laboring in their small, modest homes with very limited means to tell the world about their craft and talents. At the other end of the spectrum, one finds Museo Galeria Josefina! When I visited the gallery and chatted with the owner in 2006, it was an active and exciting place. Does anyone know if it is still operating?

Galeria Josefina had a very different feel from Galeria Codice or Galeria Anil or other galleries in Managua. Located in neighborhood of Bolonia in Managua, the gallery was housed in a large modern building with high ceilings, lots of glass walls and natural light. As I entered the gallery, several large outdoor sculptures greeted me in the front grassy area. Behind the gallery was a small hotel run by the owner, Josefina Guillen. This gallery combines modern architecture and contemporary art to cater to connaisseurs of Nicaraguan art, who have the resources to buy the best.

Museo Galeria Josefina began in the 1980's, and in 1998 moved to the modern and spacious building in Bolonia, near one of the many universities in Managua. The dual purpose of museum and gallery is central to the goals of preserving and promoting Nicaraguan art and artists, and educating the public about Nicaraguan painters, sculptors and artists of decorative arts.

Exhibitions have included Luis Alvarado and Mario Aguero "Homenaje a Granada", "Pintando a la Virgin", Mauricio Rizo "Contraluces" and Mario Moya "El Juicio Del Arte". According to the Gallery brochure, artists represented in their permanent collection include Carlos Montenegro, Ernesto Cardenal, Maria Gallo, Juan Rivas and many others.

Is there anyone in Managua who knows if this great gallery is still going?