During our second mural residency in Mexico, we are at a secondary school that has a special focus on marine biology and other studies of the sea. All students did preliminary sketches with Indira, the art teacher from Entreamigos, the local community center. Then 15 students who showed interest and aptitude – and whose grades allowed them to be away from their regular studies for a week – were chosen by the administration to participate in the project. The group was wonderful – and was joined by a couple of community members who contributed greatly to the project. The mural is right on the main street into town. You can’t miss it when you visit San Pancho! (short for San Fransisco) Photos were taken by Wendy Schneider.

My friend, Carmen Perez, the principal of Drexel Bilingual Elementary School, knows how to dedicate a mural! We had a formal flag ceremony, speeches, the waving of streamers while the kids sang “We Are the World” – in English – and enough tres leches cake to feed one hundred! Some days I am the luckiest person in the world!! All photos were taken by Wendy Schneider.

Our first international mural residency was in January 2012 at the Drexel Bilingual Elementary School in Guadalajara Mexico. All photos are by Wendy Schneider.

Check out the video of the project by Wendy Schneider:

This mural in Centro Hispano of Dane County’s new kitchen is one of a series of murals at Centro Hispano in Madison, WI. It was painted by West High School SAIL (Student Achievement through Individualized Learning)students, UW Office of Educational Opportunities Technology & Art students, and community members. It was funded by the Wisconsin Arts Baord and UW Office of Educational Opportunities.

“Words cannot describe the complexity of these pieces or the amazement they produce, but let me recommend these boxes filled with gleanings from Canadian antique stores, Mexico City market places, the dime stores of Laredo, Texas and St. Vincent’s in Madison. Purple wings tucked into a handkerchief of printed violets, faded photographs, holy cards, seashells, bangles, jewelry, velvet, holy statues, baby bracelets, little bones, mirrors, motors and sheets from old books.” Michael Bonesteel, Isthmus Weekly Newspaper

“The most striking aspect of Ms. Flores’s (Kilfoy) work is the continuity and often poignancy she creates by skillfully assembling elements that are sometimes literal, sometimes abstract, yet always accessible.”

“Her finest achievement is her understanding and control of mood. An ‘economic’ artist and a determined self-disciplinarian, Ms. Flores (Kilfoy) has mostly limited herself to small 3/D collage with found materials and mounted boxes. This practice has lent her product considerable refinement and technical assurance.”

“Ms. Flores (Kilfoy) has demonstrated the universal appeal of her sculptural collage art all the way from prize-winning at major regional exhibits (such as Beloit College Annual) to attracting young people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds to study and produce their own collage works.”

“Hers is the perfect medium for ethnic expression and intergenerational communication.” James Eatman, Director, Dane County Arts Council

“My interest in diverse cultures, especially my love of Hispanic cultures is evident in the current exhibit. The little charms are ‘milagros’ or ‘miracles’ which I purchased from street vendors. They are pinned to the robe of the statue of a person’s favorite saint in order to bring benefit. Thus, a milagro of a house will bring blessings to one’s home.” Sharon Kilfoy, Bon Appetit Cafe exhibit

View the  artist’s statement from EL CRUCERO DE MI CORAZON exhibit.