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