Another group of unique handicraft artisans who have participated at Maestros del Arte since its inceptionn is Centro de Integración Tapalpa - a very special school whose children create animals and sculptures of whimsical and imaginative design made of papelmalecho (papier-mâché).

The Villalevers, a couple from Guadalajara have built a unique school in Tapalpa dedicated to nurturing the artistic, creative and academic potential of special-needs children. With the aid of volunteers from the town and donated land, the Villalevers have helped transform the lives of three hundred students.

Before the construction of this school, many of these children felt apart from the community. Now, creative teacher Marcos Canizále guides them in expressing their dreams and beliefs into Papelmalecho over recycled garbage. Bottoms of plastic soft-drink bottles, newspaper, egg cartons, grain bags – all are used to create the whimsical papelmalecho creations. The students paint their magical projects in the traditional folk style of florapintura or flower painting.

The Villalevers displayed a special papelmalecho (papier-mâché) exhibit called “The Flora and the Fauna of the Planet of 8 Suns” at Maestros del Arte 2003. Created by Maestro Marco Canisales, the life-size woman was decorated with a myriad of birds and animals, suns and flowers - she was purchased by one of the shoppers at the event.

If you are interested in purchasing some of the school's work, call Marianne Carlson at 011522 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com

(Our thanks to Norm Tihor for the use of his photographs)