The new Puerto Vallarta-based art association "La Mujer y sus Pinceles" recently announced its first national painting contest for female artists, amateurs and professionals, which will take place next March 8th, 2010 in Puerto Vallarta. The organizers are counting on the support of all 32 Mexican states in the promotion of this first-of-its-kind event. As part of the cultural activities related to the competition, “La Mujer y sus Pinceles” will take the opportunity to pay tribute to internationally-reknowned  Mexican artist Martha Chapa, who will be present to formally inaugurate the competition.

The competition’s theme is "Mexican Toys" and it will have three categories: the first one is for minors, the second one is for women over eighteen, and the third one is for well-known painters that have at participated in at least one professional solo exhibition. The organization hopes that the competition and exhibition will fulfill a dual purpose: to create a forum of national and international recognition for female Mexican painters and to promote Banderas Bay as a cultural destination.