Centro
Integración de
Tapalpa, A.C.
Paper Mache
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) |