Galleria de Paco

Fine Art - from an aerosol can

Photos don’t do the Galleria de Paco justice and two pages are not enough to tell you their whole story. You really need to go to the Galleria de Paco in Waterloo, Iowa, to see it for yourself. My own trip there was delayed almost a year, but I’m counting the days until I return. 

The Details

Paco Rosic decided when he was a child that someday he was going to recreate Michelangelo’s famous fresco work in the Sistine Chapel and he’s done just that in his family’s restaurant. Originally, Paco spent almost five months and used over two thousand cans of spray paint to do the 2,500 square foot ceiling. Lying on his back on scaffolding, 14 feet up, he dealt with debilitating back pain plus severe hand and finger cramps. 

The ceiling of the restaurant is mostly comprised of the nine Genesis scenes that are the central portion of the Chapel’s ceiling. The most famous of which shows God creating Adam with their hands outstretched, nearly touching. 

Since Galleria de Paco opened, Paco has extended the ceiling scenes down the walls, depicting prophets and other key figures of the Bible. The ceiling and walls together create and all encompassing, immersing experience. 

Paco’s version has less detail due to the smaller scale and spray paint medium, but is more brightly colored. His ability to create the broad picture with spray paint is impressive, but his talent is really evident upon close scrutiny. I guarantee you’ll never get to inspect Michelangelo’s work this close. 

The Food

With the art and atmosphere being such a focus, you might be concerned that the food and beverage would be an afterthought, which is not the case. Gordana, Paco’s mother, comes from a family of restaurateurs, some of which also live in Waterloo. Gordana worked with Paco to create the menu and does much of the baking and dessert making. 

Beneath the main restaurant is a lounge style bar, appropriately named Catacombs. Paco enjoys getting behind the bar and mixing drinks himself. It’s another venue to express his creativity. 

The Story

Galleria de Paco and Paco Rosic have received tons of press coverage the past four years, beginning before they even opened the doors. Paco is a gifted and skilled artist and his work is what piqued interest and generated the news reports. Paco’s passion and dedication to this project make for a compelling story, but the press seems to have missed one key element, without which, I truly believe Galleria de Paco would not have been as successful: Paco’s family, specifically his father, Jacky. 

After meeting Jacky, it is clear where Paco’s drive and passion come from. Jacky’s love for life, his family and this restaurant are contagious. My face hurt from smiling so much after sitting with him for a couple of hours. 

Jacky and his family have faced trials and adversity that most of us wouldn’t wish on our enemies. After losing over half his family to violence, he took his family and fled war torn Bosnia to Germany in the early 1990s. They immigrated to America seven years later and none of them spoke English. 

In less than a decade, they were United States citizens and living the American dream. Jacky is as enthusiastic about the U.S. as he is everything else. “I love America. I have traveled a lot and this country is really something special,” he told me.

Instead of being wary of the world that has dealt him more than his share of hardships, Jacky has used his life experiences for good. He radiates positive energy and enthusiasm. He’ll drop everything, or even get out of bed late at night, to give visitors a tour. The day I was there, the restaurant was closed, but when people peeked in the window, Jacky jumped up and invited them in to look around. 

People come from around the world to have a one-of-a-kind experience at Galleria de Paco. They have filled twenty guest books in a few short years. I saw signatures of people from Australia, Egypt and Russia, all gushing compliments in many languages.

The art, the food and the family behind Galleria de Paco are all too big and wonderful to be contained in these two pages. Paco’s artwork is the reason to make the drive to Waterloo, but Jacky’s enthusiasm and spirit are what will make the restaurant succeed in the long run. It is a sight to behold and you truly should see if for yourself. 

For more information on Galleria de Paco or to make reservations, visit MidwestWonder.com.