Ajijic children who attend the Saturday morning sessions of the Children’s Art Program at the Lake Chapala Society(LCS) continue to be the beneficiaries of an innovative annual event sponsored by the members of the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA).
Now held each February, the successful Open Studios Tour was the brainchild of Marian and Val Decker who had participated in a similar successful event while living in Santa Cruz, California. ASA members immediately took to the new concept and the Deckers brought the idea to fruition, coordinating the first two ASA annual tours.
The Open Studio Tour gives participants the rare opportunity to meet the artists and to see them plying their craft in their studios. Most often art is viewed formally, hung in art shows. Even the popular art walks take guests to just a limited number of locations to see finished works.
Each year members of ASA sell Passports, a beautifully full color booklet which is a combination program of participants and guide to the studios for 50 pesos, half of which goes to the children’s program. The 3rd Annual Open Studio Tour featured 58 artists of all variations of art in 16 locations. The sales of the passports to guide viewers to the sculptors, photographers, carvers, jewelers, weavers and painters netted 13,000 pesos during the two-day event.Ken Caldwell, coordinator of this year’s event, says, “It is the most perfect of all win/win situations. ASA artists show and sell their work, the public has a wonderful opportunity to see the studios and get to know artists as never before, and the Children’s Art Program benefits in a big way. Plus it all meshes perfectly into the ASA mission to support the arts and artists of lakeside.”
Children’s Art Program Coordinator Danielle Page, as well as some of the 100 or more local kids who regularly attend the Saturday classes, were pleased to know that their supply of materials is ensured. Next up in the children’s program will be the July 21-25 Summer Art Camp at the LCS. The sessions will run from 10 a.m. to noon daily and will be followed on Saturday, July 26 by a sale of the works completed during the camp, which will be coordinated by Jennifer Stanley. In addition to the devoted regular Children’s Art Volunteers, Suzanne Baillergeau is helping with coordination, a welcome addition as winter resident and organizer Delayne Giardina leaves for the summer. Volunteers to help with the Saturday program or the art camp are always welcomed. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can help.