Visual Arts
A happy connection with a Guatemalan artist has launched a new area of work. Marlon Davila created a mural centered on the Maya world view (both contemporary and ancestral) inside the Town Hall in April (2025) with the help of the middle school students of INEB (National Public Middle School).
He also collaborated with the Maya Mam Weavers in a mixed media painting where the weavers wove the clothing for the painted portrait. Both works were hugely successful, but the most amazing result of this visit was the outpouring of enthusiasm for art. The Mayor welcomed the mural because of its cultural content and gave it the space in the entry to the Town Hall. But most remarkable was the enthusiasm expressed by many of the students in participating in painting the mural, but also with strong interest in learning more about how to paint – like mixing colors, for example.
The weavers were equally enthusiastic about their project.
We have also been fortunate to have Juan Carlos Vail, a successful painter from Cajola, volunteer with the Learning Center teaching regular painting classes. With this newly understood enthusiasm for art, Grupo Cajola has requested that Marlon return in 2026 to teach painting classes. And the Mayor has requested Marlon return to paint another mural!
Marlon is also currently working with the Maya Mam Weavers preparing for an exhibition in the U.S. in 2027 which will include another mixed media.