Walter Perez

Walter Sacarias Perez Lopez was awarded Art Ambassador for a Colorful World's first scholarship, a three-month apprenticeship with well-known Guatemalan artist Mariano Gonzalez Chavajay.

"Art Ambassador's Mariposa Scholarship has enabled me to follow my dream of becoming an artist. I've always admired Mariano's work, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to study with him. My family and I are so grateful." - Walter Perez

Mariano Gonzalez Chavajay, Walter's mentor, is a celebrated local artist from San Pedro, a small coastal village on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Mariano's work depicts scenes of everyday life around Lake Atitlán and the special ceremonies of the Mayan culture. His grandfather is the first Tz'utuhil artist, Rafael Gonzalez y Gonzalez, and he is the younger brother of Pedro Rafael Gonzalez Chavajay. Mariano has been painting since he was a young man, and he now is recognized as a leading artist of San Pedro. His paintings of the many varieties of village-identity dress among Maya women are particularly outstanding, as are his paintings of the cofradia ceremonies. He exhibits his work primarily in his home and in selected galleries in the United States.

With the help of our Mariposa Scholarship, Walter lived and apprenticed with Mariano for three months. Under Mariano's guidance Walter has blossomed as an artist, and we'll be looking forward to his premier exhibition in August of 2015.

"Walter is a dedicated student and has real vocation. I am very impressed with his progress in such a short time." - Mariano Gonzales

Walter Perez

Mariano Gonzales Chavajay, Walter's Mentor

Lorenzo Efrain Lopez Perez

To date, AAFACW has awarded two Mariposa Scholarships to young people we perceive to be artistically gifted and of strong character. Our second scholarship has been awarded to Lorenzo Efrain Lopez Perez. He is very much like Walter, in that he is talented and has a strong desire to make his future living from his artistic gifts.

Shown here, our newest scholarship recipient, Lorenzo Efrain Lopez Perez, center, with last year's recipient, Walter Sacarias Perez Lopez, to his left.

prev / next

Back to Scholarships

Walter Perez

Lorenzo Efrain Lopez Perez

Mariposa Scholarship

Click on the images above to see more about our scholarship recipients and their art.

Learning to draw and paint involves learning to see, analyze, understand and interpret the world around us. It requires one to learn about geometry and perspective; the anatomy of plants, people, animals, mountains and buildings; the effects of light, atmosphere, gravity and motion. Learning to draw and paint well requires years of serious study, equivalent to that of music or academics, and enhances focus, awareness and perception, expanding our ability to learn other subjects and engage in other life-enhancing activities.

Art requires self-discipline, perseverance and stamina, but the rewards are limitless. Art creates life-long friendships with other artists and teachers, and has the power to forge strong bonds between people from disparate locations and life-circumstances. Art engenders curiosity and an engagement with the world and its people. Ithas the power to carry us beyond ourselves, breaking down the barriers of language, ethnicity, class and nationality. It is for these reasons that I formed Art Ambassador for a Colorful World.

Art Ambassador for a Colorful World's mission is to make quality art instruction available to children and adults in areas of the world where access to art classes and museums is limited. We have provided art classes to children in China and Guatemala since 2011, and have plans to expand to other areas.

To date, AAFACW has awarded two Mariposa Scholarships to young people we perceive to be artistically gifted and of strong character.

Our first scholarship, of what we hope will be many, was awarded to Walter Sacarias Perez Lopez in Guatemala, enabling him to study with his mentor, Mariano Gonzalez Chavajay, a successful local artist. We thank Sherry Robin, of Xela Aid, for her help in making our first Mariposa Scholarship a reality. Click on Walter's image above to see more about him and his art.

Our second scholarship has been awarded to Lorenzo Efrain Lopez Perez. He is very much like Walter, in that he is talented and has a strong desire to make his future living from his artistic gifts.

We have big plans to bring the benefits of art education to even more people in the future.