The Mural Painting Workshop

* In the hallways of Xcaret Park`s Hacienda Henequenera

Exhibit of murals by boys and girls of Quintana Roo

** Result of the Mural Painting Workshop coordinated by Xcaret and Maestro Roberto Martínez

By Alejandra Flores

With the support of the National Council for the Arts and Culture, Xcaret Park coordinated a series of workshops in several communities of the state`s Mayan Zone entitled, directed by Maestro Roberto Martínez, a workshop professor from Alas y raíces para los niños  (Wings and Roots for Children). During the month of September, a team from Xcaret and Maestro Roberto toured a good portion of the State of Quintana Roo to give his Large Format Painting Workshop in ten inland communities as part of the Boys and Girls from Quintana Roo Paint Hanal Pixan project.

The result of this colorful and educational mural painting workshop will be displayed at the Children`s Pavilion entitled Skeleton-scaping with Pixan, which will decorate the hallways of the Hacienda Henequenera during the 3rd Life and Death Traditions Festival, Xcaret 2008, to be held from October 30th through November 2nd.

On the origin of the workshop and mural painting, Roberto Martínez had this to say: "During each era of history, individuals, and mankind in general, have expressed themselves because of natural and societal events, memories and traditions, fantasies and visions of the future; but above all, because of a basic biological, emotional and formative need to communicate: "Here I am!  This is who I am!  Here we are; this is who we are!"

"At some primary schools—kindergarten and grade schools both public and private alike—we can see façades, and sometimes inside walls, too, painted with storybook characters and pre-established comic book figures like Snow White, Tweety Bird, The Little Mermaid… Junior Highs and High Schools, on the other hand, are often the canvas for a huge amount of graffiti, squiggles and signs clandestinely painted in bathrooms.  What I think is that it is important to talk, to reflect with children, adolescents and young people about such concepts as freedom of expression, esthetics, means of communication and visual arts, and to think about the possibility of using other types of techniques and materials other than spray paint."

With the concept of collective creation as a premise, Roberto Martínez and Xcaret have created an exhibit that, without a doubt, will reveal the dynamic strength of the Day of the Dead tradition in Quintana Roo.  Visit the exhibit and see what our boys and girls know, feel and communicate about Hanal Pixan, the `Banquet of the Souls`.