Invitation

WELCOME

WINTER CAMPAIGN

 Walter Zacarías Pérez Ló lives in the community of San Martín Chiquita, nestled in the misty highlands of northern Guatemala. He grew up in a humble block home with only a kitchen and two tiny rooms where he lived with his mother, father, three brothers and three sisters! His parents earned a modest income—his father as a farmer, and his mother, selling curative herbs. There were nine mouths to feed and Walter grew up knowing the sting of poverty. On many occasions, he left the family table still hungry. Yet, Walter had a dream of becoming an artist.

        “I knew I wanted to become an artist when I was just five years old,” Walter recalls. And he worked at his dream. In grade school, Walter won the prize for Best Artist at his school two years in a row, but the challenges facing Walter continued. His parents, burdened by the expense of a large family, compelled Walter to abandon his art. “When my parents would see me drawing, they asked me to stop…they said I needed to do something useful,” he recalls. “This made me feel ashamed of my dream.”

        And so, honoring his parent’s call, although still just a child, Walter dutifully tended the crops with his father. When he returned home, even if it was getting dark outside, he’d sit near a window to take advantage of the last little bit of light to draw. But no matter how much time he spent in the fields, ever-worried about the family’s finances, his father asked for even more of Walter’s time, and compelled him to abandon art altogether. After a recent event, Walter began to think that his father was right. Walter’s older brother died suddenly, leaving the family grieving and with even less income. For a time, Walter lost all hope: “What right do I have to draw and paint when my family is suffering?” Walter recalls thinking just after his brother’s death. “I should just quit art!”

        But that was not to be. Shortly after his brother’s death, Walter met representatives from Art Ambassador for a Colorful World, who were visiting his village. They saw some of Walter’s work on display. “Walter’s work at that time was average and unschooled, but his passion was obvious,” said Kevin Macpherson, Founder of Art Ambassador. “Any artist, even those with great skill and education, won’t make it without the drive to work hard. Walter demonstrated the desire we look for.”

        The rest is a story-book success: Art Ambassador awarded Walter a scholarship that allowed him to study with painter Mariano Chavajay, described as “the best known of Guatemala’s living Tz'utuhil Maya artists.” The scholarship also included enough money to replace the meager earnings Walter was contributing to his family from working in the fields, helping to ease his parents’ burden and reassuring them that perhaps Walter’s love of art might truly turn out to be a marketable skill.”

        “The Art Ambassador scholarship was a blessing in my life,” Walter says. “I felt like I was trying everything I could to climb the ladder of my life, but I kept falling down. Art Ambassadors gave me a hand to help me to climb one step at a time.”  

        Climbing “one step at a time” for Walter has meant a gradual and profound improvement in his skills as an artist. “I now see the world more precisely, and notice subtle differences in colors. And before, where I used to sell one painting to a group, I now may sell 10!” he says.

        “My friends at Art Ambassador motivated me, and have done for me what no one else ever could. Because of them, I am continuing to climb to accomplish my goals. The scholarship changed my life, and I am very grateful. One day, I hope to have enough money that I can donate to an organization that cares for disabled children.”

        It has been extremely rewarding for me to follow Walter as he has grown as an artist. He is just one of thousands of young people whose lives have been enriched by Art Ambassador for a Colorful World in Guatemala, Mexico and the United States. This has been possible only because of supporters like you. Artists may be born with a seed of talent, but this seed must be nurtured and given the opportunity to blossom. So many students like Walter have the desire, but not the opportunity to develop their skills.         

Thinking back over the course of my 35 years as a fine artist, I never could have imagined the wonderful places art would take me. There are young people at every turn who, just like Walter, are waiting to embark upon their artist’s journey and just need a helping hand to climb the ladder of their own calling. I am deeply grateful for your past support, which made the scholarship possible that changed the course of Walter’s life, and I am hoping you will join me this coming year to help other budding Walters follow their dream of becoming an artist and fulfilling their destiny! Your tax-deductible, year-end gift will make dreams like Walter’s come true for many others. Thank you ahead of time for all you may be able to share this Holiday Season!

Colorful regards,

Kevin Macpherson, Founder

Art Ambassador for a Colorful World

YES KEVIN! I will join you in helping young artists like Walter follow their dreams and fulfill their destiny!  Visit artambassador.org to give your tax-deductible gift.