Arts Council to honor Sergio Gaytan

The late artist Sergio Gaytan will have his name added to the Distinguished Artist Wall at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center on Thursday and his artwork exhibited the following week.

Gaytan, fondly remembered as “Queco” and “Checo” by many, was a passionate man who lived for art. He was particularly passionate about drawing and painting in its many forms since he was child. He passed away on Nov. 3.

Gaytan was born in Mexicali, Mexico, on June 13, 1958. He attended elementary school where he continued developing his art potential, especially his drawing, according to a press release from the city of Calexico.

The family immigrated to Brawley, where he attended high school. He continued to develop his artistic skills at the Art Instruction Institute through correspondence in 1977.

After high school, he attended Imperial Valley College where he received his Associates of Arts degree in 1981. Subsequently, he continued his education at San Diego State University–Imperial Valley, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. He then married Ignacia Davila.

Gaytan was a member of the Calexico Arts Commission, where he was responsible for coordinating international art exhibits at the Arts Center with many artists from both sides of the border, San Diego and Los Angeles.

His artwork will be on exhibition from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center.

—Julio Morales, jmorales@ivpressonline.com