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September 15, 2004 -- The Neill James Legacy Children"s Art Retrospective Exhibition, "Six Decades of Painting in Ajijic," will be held on the grounds of the Lake Chapala Society, Ajijic, on October 8 and 9, 2004, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Neill James and to celebrate the success of the Children"s Art Program she founded. On display will be one hundred paintings produced by local Mexican children over the nearly fifty years since the program was created by writer Neill James in 1956. Recent works by some of the same artists will be on sale. When Neill James died ten years ago, the program lapsed briefly but was kept alive by local volunteers Mildred Boyd and Jesus Lopez Vega. Today, between 50 and 100 children still come every Saturday to the former Neill James property (now the site of the Lake Chapala Society). "We have two goals in presenting the exhibit," Mildred Boyd said. "First, we hope to raise public awareness of the importance and beauty of a collection of art (more than 1000 paintings) that spans six decades. This collection needs to be cataloged, digitized, and preserved." "Second," she said, "the Children"s Art Program must continue long into the future." Explaining that this will require funding at the level that Neill James was able to provide, she added: "We would like to see the program become a daily one again, with a paid teacher, and to be able once again to offer art scholarships to talented young artists." From 1969 to 1976, Jesus Lopez Vega participated in the Children"s Art Program and learned to paint for money. The children were awarded prizes and encouraged to sell their work. Today he is running a successful Ajijic gallery selling his work. He donates some of his time to teaching in the Children"s Art Program. "The Children"s Art Program," he said, "was responsible for making me a professional artist and for establishing art as an economic force in the former fishing village of Ajijic." Ten other professional artists who attended the Children"s Art Program make their living today by selling their paintings, etchings, engravings, and sculptures in Ajijic galleries.. This Ajijic focus has attracted artists from elsewhere who have opened their own galleries. Today, the village on the shores of Lake Chapala south of Guadalajara is one of Mexico"s recognized centers of art. PROGRAM OF EVENTS Friday, October 8, 2004 * 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Children"s Art Exhibit and Art Sale * Children"s art from the 1950"s to today * Sale of recent works of current and past participants in the Children"s Art Program including those of internationally recognized artists * 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony * Charles Smith, president, Lake Chapala Society * Aturo Gutierrez Tejeda, president, Chapala municipal council * Jose Abel Velazco, cultural director, Chapala * Anselmo Avalos Rochin, director of the cultural center, Ajijic * 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Artists" Reception * Meet artists of the past, present, and future * Refreshments served (beer and wine for sale) * The Golden Strings Music Group Saturday, October 9, 2004 * 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children"s Art Exhibit, Art Sale, and Food Sale * Pancake breakfast, other food, and beer and wine available * 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Children"s Art Program (LCS back patio) * All children welcome * Afternoon entertainment * 2:00 p.m. "Cantos y Reded de Chapala" singers * 4:00 p.m. "Ballet Folklorico Sicantzy" dancers * 5:00 p.m. "Autoctona de San Juan Cosala" dancers Proceeds from sales go to the Children"s Art Program NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. Copies of the exhibited children"s art can be obtained from Judy Boyd -- jaliscojudy@mail.com -- 01-376-766-2759 -- please specify format (jpeg, bmp, etc). 2. Interviews with artists and others can be arranged through the media contacts. 3. The Children"s Art Program lesson will take place on Saturday October 9 from 10:00 to 12:00 as usual.