Feria and the Children's Art Program

Javier Zaragoza in his studio at Constitución 50

Back when Ajijic had one doctor, one plumber and a grade school that only went to the fourth grade, there was a young boy who got scolded for drawing soldiers in his school books.

That’s the story that Javier Zaragosa shared at the beginning of his talk at the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) meeting. “My father was a fisherman,” he said, and with brimming eyes, he added that he might have become one also except his path was interrupted by a woman from Mississippi.

Javier is a master painter and muralist in the Lake Chapala area, thanks to the mentorship of Neill James, often described as the “godmother of Ajijic.” She changed the lives of many through her philanthropic work and continues to improve the lives of locals and expats through the work of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), which she founded and left her house and grounds to. Her fingerprints linger throughout the community in the many charitable efforts she initiated and continues to inspire.

One of her programs was the Children’s Art Program, begun in 1954 and now sponsored by the Lake Chapala Society. This is where Javier began studying at age seven and was also one of the first of Neill James’ students to be sent on scholarship to San Miguel de Allende to further his art studies. The program continues to offer 50 - 100 local students time, materials and guidance every Saturday at LCS, where widely recognized artists such as Javier, and Jesús López Vega join artists from the Ajijic Society of the Arts and visiting artists who offer the students demonstrations and guidance. 

Manuel de la Peña with students

 On one Saturday, Manuel de la Peña, a paper-cutting artist from Guadalajara demonstrated natural dyes to the children who were fascinated that insects could produce such rich colors. Manuel will be a featured artist at the Feria Maestros del Arte which has a long standing relationship with the Children’s Art Program.

Paper art

Every year, the Feria sponsors an art contest for all the children in the Children’s Art Program with cash prizes for the winners and also co-sponsors the Children’s Art Camp.

The theme this year for the contest, and the Feria, is the “Colors of Nature.” In addition to the students’ art entries, there will be workshops, demonstrations and lectures about colors used by the artisans and especially the use of natural dyes.

Art Student