San Miguel de Allende – May 6, 2014:  The third- annual SMART – the eclectic and visionary “San Miguel Art” festival (www.smartsanmiguel.com) – will color this historic colonial town May 29 - June 1, 2014 with cocktail parties, contemporary art exhibits, an all-night DJ dance party, a Casa Dragones tequila degustation, gourmet dining events, art tours in private homes and more – including, for the first time, striking and bold street art by internaitonally known artists and a presentation by one of Mexico's leading architects.

The three chic boutique hotels in San Miguel that created the festival − Hotel Matilda (www.hotelmatilda.com), Dos Casas (doscasas.com.mx) and L'Otel (l-otelgroup.com) – again are jointly sponsoring the three-day art and cultural happening. 

“SMART is growing in size and scope every year, drawing art and culture aficionados from throughout Mexico and several countries to participate in an exotic mix of experiences,” said Hotel Matilda Director Bruce James. “It's a dynamic, high-energy scene that is unlike anything else in Old World San Miguel de Allende.”

New to SMART for 2014 will be internationally heralded street artists creating exotic, colorful murals and scenes on the roofs of San Miguel de Allende. The street artists include Australian Anthony Lister (www.anthonylister.com), Brazilian Eduardo Kobra (www.eduardokobra.com) and Australian Rone (www.r-o-n-e.com). The exhibits will be curated Julia Riley O'Sullivan, a noted street art curator whose credits include Street Art Miami Art Basel and Street Art Exhibit Armory Show New York. The street art will be introduced at a reception at L'Otel on Friday, May 30.

SMART  has evolved into one of the most significant art festivals in Mexico with exhibits by many of the country's hottest contemporary artists. Four of Mexico City's leading galleries will feature their top contemporary artists in showings at the three hotels, including:

- Galeria Hilario Galguera (www.galeriahilariogalguera.com) will  showcase the paintings of heralded Mexico City artist Daniel Lezama.

 - Ricardo Reyes Arte (www.ricardoreyesarte.com) will feature Mexican artist Fabian Ugalde, whose works have been showcased in many museums and galleries in Mexico as well as Europe, Asia and South America.

- Anonymous Gallery (www.anonymousgallery.com) will be showcasing the works of two well-known Mexico City artists, Jose Luis Sanchez Rull and Israel Meza Moreno, known as Moris, and two artists with international followings who live and work  in Brooklyn, New York, Kostas Seremetis and South Korea-born Romon Kimin Yang, also known as Rostarr.

- Galleria Arroniz (www.arroniz-arte.com) will exhibit the photos of Pablo López Luz, whose images have been seen at expositions worldwide, from Rome and Paris to New York.

A highlight of SMART will be the all-night dance party at Hotel Matilda, on Saturday, May 31, orchestrated by an internationally renowned DJ spinning exotic and sensual sounds

Also new in 2014, an architecture and design component will be part of this year's SMART:  Award-winning Mexican architect Enrique Norten, founder and principal of internationally acclaimed TEN Arquitectos, will kick off the festival with a special presentation on Thursday, May 29.

Casa Dragones Tequila will host a degustation and tequila tasting, by invitation only, at La Casa Dragones, the majestic original 17th-century stables of the legendary Dragones cavalry of San Miguel de Allende.

SMART Package:

The three hotels have put together a two-night package that combines a guest room with all the SMART events and activities. The package starts at US$350 per night for two and includes:

- Entrance to an art exhibit, including a cocktail party or brunch, at each of the three hotels.

- DJ Dance Party at Hotel Matilda.

- Cocktail party and private showing at the house of a local art collector.

- Degustation and tequila tasting at Casa Dragones.

For more information and to book the SMART Package, contact:

- Hotel Matilda:  direct-dial   +52 (415) 152-1015, toll free in the U.S. 855-MATILDA (855-628-4532), or info@hotelmatilda.com.

- Dos Casas: Direct dial  +52 (415) 154-4958 or (415) 152-0941, or info@doscasas.com.mx.

- L'Otel: Direct dial  +52 (415) 154-9850, in the U.S. 210-745-1457, or reservations@l-otelgroup.com.

Hotel Matilda is a dynamic contemporary hotel celebrated for its chic lifestyle-focused guest experience and one-of-a-kind art and culinary events, from exhibits by noted artists to Supper Club culinary evenings with acclaimed guest chefs.  The 'Matilda lifestyle' guest experience combines award-winning Spa Matilda;  popular Bar Matilda; designer rooms and suites; a vibrant art-gallery-like interior – the first and only contemporary ambiance in colonial San Miguel de Allende – filled with a eclectic collection of dramatic contemporary works by noted artists, many specifically commissioned for the hotel; and world-class dining by internationally renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera in Moxi restaurant.

Once a private family homee, Dos Casas opened its doors in 2004 with all the amenities of a world-class hotel yet all the comforts of home: fine linens and bath products, private jacuzzis, steam rooms, and fireplaces in select suites, as well as gourmet breakfast daily. The rooftop terrace features panoramic views of San Miguel de Allende and a wine bar. Rooms are decorated in a harmonious blend of traditional Mexican and contemporary design.

The chic address in San Miguel de Allende for the well-traveled and demanding guest, L'Otel is a charming temple of design, service, and experience.

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