Local artists Javier Zaragoza and Jesus Lopez Vega are joining forces to create a mural honoring the Neill James Children’s Art Program.
Zaragoza and Lopez Vega are both products of the program that began in the 1950s.
The mural will be painted on a new wall recently built on the back patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), where the current art program is held each week.
Now in its 55th year, the time was considered right to honor author, photographer and philanthropist Neill James, who started the program.
The mural will also acknowledge Angelica Aldana and Mildred Boyd, who have labored with love for years to keep the program alive and thriving.
The work will depict several successful local artists who attended the program, as well as scenes of children working in the classes in the past and today.“It was Neill James who first recognized my talent and was instrumental in getting me enrolled in art school in San Miguel de Allende,” said Zaragoza. “She tried to convince me to pursue my art career in Mexico but I was young and went off to Los Angeles to seek my fame and fortune.”
Zaragoza spent many years there painting billboards for Warner Brothers Pictures, which may explain his skill and fondness for works on a large scale. This mural should be right up his alley, measuring about 15 by 20 feet.
Lopez Vega, who has a gallery located in the west end of Ajijic, believes in “giving back.” He volunteers his time each Saturday morning to help today’s budding artists.
This artistic endeavor seeks to educate the community about the Children’s Art Program, improve cross-cultural relationships and inspire the kids who come to the LCS patio each Saturday morning.
The Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) has donated the funds for materials, the Lake Chapala Society is covering the costs of the preparation of the wall and local artist Jose Duran is contributing the scaffolding.. Stop by and have a look at the work that will begin in the first days of October and leave a donation at the LCS office to provide a stipend to the artists.
Over the years hundreds of kids have painted thousands of pictures in the art program, which is free of charge and takes place from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday (except holidays), rain or shine.
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