Calexico students learn art, history
CALEXICO — About 20 local kids took part in an eight-week art class that provided participants with a lesson in Calexico history and architecture as well.
The art classes wrapped up last week and culminated in an exhibit at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center of the participants’ renditions of the eight historical buildings chosen to be highlighted.
Eight-year-old Calexico resident Ellysa Rascon said she has passed by many of the buildings through the years and was glad the art classes provided her an opportunity to get to know them more intimately.
As someone who already enjoyed drawing, the classes also provided her a chance to further develop her artistic skills.
“I really wanted to know how to paint buildings,” Ellysa said. “I mostly like to draw pets.”
Participants were able to practice painting, pencil
sketching and using colored pencils, which Ellysa said she enjoyed most. Her favorite rendition was the one she created of the Hotel de Anza.
Other historical buildings included the city’s Carnegie Library, its former downtown port of entry, city hall and post office, current City Hall, the North Building at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley, the Women’s Improvement Club, and the Garcia business building, which formerly housed the J.C. Penney store on Second Street.
To help the young participants’ better understand the significance of the selected buildings, community members and city employees were tapped to provide informative presentations about the locations.
The historical presentations turned out to be a welcome addition of the art classes, said 13-yearold Johana Benitez.
“It was really, really fun and I got to learn a lot,” Johana said.
Her favorite rendition was of the Hotel de Anza, made using acrylic paint. As someone who likes to draw cartoons and faces, the class provided Johana with a chance to “dabble” with architecture and buildings.
The participants, mostly local fifth- and sixth-graders and high school students, were presented with pictures of the buildings that they then either sketched freehand or created outlines of using stencils.
Often, the buildings the students rendered by freehand were distinguishable from those that relied on stencils.
In the case of Johana’s depiction of the Women Improvement Club, its outlines were a bit askew since she chose not to use a ruler.
“You can see it’s a little bit more wonky,” Johana said.
The classes were provided for free with funding from the nonprofit Calexico Arts Council and approval of the city’s Library, Arts and Historical Board.
The classes were the first formal art classes for 14-year-old Christal Troncoso. She had heard about the classes through the city’s Community Center, where she would regularly participate in activities over the summer.
Aside from a commitment to continue creating art, Christal said the classes also provided her a better understanding of her hometown’s history and architecture.
“I didn’t know the history behind the buildings,” she said. “I learned a lot more through this class.”
Organizers said they are hoping to offer the art classes again in the future.
“Ultimately, we are not sure if the kids will dedicate themselves to become artists, be we are certain that such creative outlets help them in their development as human beings,” said local artist and class instructor Eduardo Kintero.