SOUTH OF THE BORDER  (Mexico to Argentina) EAST OF THE ATLANTIC  (Portugal and Spain) GALERIA QUETZAL is one of the  country’s premier Hispanic Folk  and Fine Art galleries representing  over sixteen Hispanic countries. We strongly believe in Fair Trade and  make sure that artisans get good  prices for their wares as well as providing them with a market in  which to sell.

We have museum quality art as well as inexpensive gift items,  each one uniquely handcrafted.  In the Fine Arts we periodically  have special exhibits for artists of Hispanic origin or whose work  depicts Hispanic themes. Folk Art is the other branch of the gallery in which we specialize.  Some examples:  · Molas from Panama  · Huichol beaded and yarn paintings from Mexico · Spanish Colonial Style Paintings from Peru  · Fine embroidery from Guatemala  · Mouth-blown glassware from Spain  · Ceramics from Portugal  · Wood carvings from Cuba  · Steel drum cut outs from Haiti and Haitian Sequined Flags · and of course many objects representing the Mexican  celebration of the Day of the Dead. The list is long and impressive. The incredible diversity and quality  of art to be found with pre Hispanic and Hispanic origins and flavor is truly amazing. The characteristics of this art include: vibrant and  brilliant colors, unique designs, and the painstaking care, time and artistry that goes into the making of each piece.

GALERIA QUETZAL is the retirement dream of Paloma Pilar Grasso,    a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and former Spanish teacher. Paloma    is an avid art collector whose preference in art veers toward Native  American and Hispanic creations.    She also loves to travel, meet people, practice her Spanish, and buy, buy, buy.  She lived in Colombia, South America, for over eighteen  years,  while married to a Spanish poet and archaeologist who collected Pre- Columbian  and Spanish Colonial art as well as Latin American folk art.  She has two masters' degrees, one in Spanish Education and the other in Spanish Literature and Civilization.   Her five Colombian born children all live in the United States and help with running the gallery.

The QUETZAL: Central American bird, the male is a bright emerald green with a red breast and extremely long green tail feathers. During pre-Hispanic times, the feathers of the Quetzal bird, considered sacred, were used in the Emperor Montezuma’s headdress.  Green is the royal color of the Aztec  and Mayan people; and Quetzal-coatl was the plumed serpent of the Aztec pantheon. The QUETZAL is the national emblem of Guatemala as well as the country’s monetary unit. The bird, although on the endangered species list, can still be seen in the rain forests of Costa Rica.

The name “Galeria Quetzal” was chosen for the unique beauty of the bird, its Latin American cultural connection  and pre-Columbian history.  In this Pre-Hispanic drawing the Emperor is shown in his Quetzal featured head dress and the stylized bird shows off the length of his amazing plumage.   Hours :   For an appointment with Paloma call 440-466-4138 Monday - Thursday : 12 - 6 pm (Summer Hours: 12 - 7 pm) Friday - Saturday  : 12 - 9 pm Sunday : CLOSED (except for special events, ie. Art Walks) **Call for extended hours: Alex   216-773-8484 or Paloma   216-744-6734   (cell) 440-466-4138   (home)