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208 Del Cristo at Old San Juan
Starting on February 1, 2006, Galería Botello in Hato Rey and Galer'a Botello in Old San Juan will be merging at one location, Galería Botello Old San Juan, at 208 Del Cristo Street.
The gallery will continue to pursue their traditional as well as contemporary artists by exhibiting several solo shows during the year. The commitment of Galer'a Botello is to continue sponsoring the local artists as well as renowned international artists. Galería Botello has been housed in a beautiful colonial building, approximately 300 years old, on a cobblestone street in Old San Juan since 1963. Originally, the building had two floors with many different sized rooms, and a wonderful interior patio. You entered through two oversized doors that the carriages used at that time. Over the years the single dweling changed into multiple housing with thirty families living there in 1959, when Angel Botello and his wife Christiane purchased the building. Each family had a small room, and they all shared one bathroom and kitchen . Angel Botello and Christiane felt responsible for the families, so they set about finding new housing for them.
With this accomplished, the restoration was started and completed three years later. Angel Botello did much of the work himself, as he always had an interest in architecture. Walls were demolished, and new archways added along with many personal features, such as niches in the walls to display Santos that he was very fond of. A third floor was also added, that became the familyÕs residence. The lower floor housed the gallery along with Angel BotelloÕs studio. Eventually, the studio moved to another location, due to the need for more space to display Angel BotelloÕs paintings and sculptures.
For the last 42 years Galería Botello, located at 208 Del Cristo street, continues to be a show place for Angel BotelloÕs work as well as that of other artists.
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