FACB is celebrating each of the States of Mexico this year. food, art, tequilla, etc. when I arrived at the Beach to register, I was handed a phone. it was my amiga Erika, the PR Director, inviting us to a Gastronomical Event celebrating the state of Jalisco that eve. at La Joya. Now I don't turn down invites to La Joya! anyway that's where we met the Lovely Gina from the Miami Herald. and one thing led to another, this pic and her covering the 2/2 get together. cause we had just gotten in, Mom was to tuckered to partake.

Tim

By GINA HERNANDEZ , Miami Herald February 2, 1998

The sculptures brought smiles and curious stares from guests at the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Friday night during a cocktail party given in La Joya restaurant. His whimsical manner of sculpting each piece reflects the folklore of Mexicans. I'm referring to humoristic sculptor Rodo Padilla. "These are personalities which I have always loved, such as the musicians, the men who sell bread and milk in the streets, revolutionists among others. With them there has been an enrichment in our lives with the example of their work with their integrity and kindness," stated the sculptor. Padilla, who lives with his wife and two young boys in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, truly enjoys what he does for a living. "Each piece says something. I have been sculpting for the past seven years. I started doing this because I wanted more freedom; sculpting gives that to me. It is fun," stated Padilla. He works with grey stoneware. Each piece takes an overall two months to be completed. Padilla's sculptures capture the imagination and attention of a crowd. Guests at the cocktail party commented on the imagination and characters of his work. Much of his work uses the distortion of body parts, for example, enlarged feet, or hands. "Sometimes it is what I feel. Sometimes I make the hands large;, I do it depending upon how each piece feels. They are all different. I don't like one more than the next. They are all my children," he said. Padilla has traveled with his work to various contries such as Europe, Asia and America. His exhibits in Mexico have earned him many awards in his home country. The exhibit of Padilla's sculptures is in conjunction with the Gastronomical Festival from Jalisco, which will be held through the rest of January. His exhibit will be on display in La Joya restaurant for one month and anyone wishing more information on the sculptor or his work may do so by getting in contact with Orbe Gallerias de Arte in the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach hotel. The event is sponsored by Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, Aeromexico Airlines and Casa 7 Leguas tequila company.