By Alejandro Devesa

Art Classes at the Biblioteca The Biblioteca is a well known institution in San Miguel, but some may not know that it offers several workshops to benefit residents of San Miguel at no cost. Among these are children's painting workshops, which aim to instill a love of art within young people and develop their creativity.­

One of the workshop teachers is Maria Guadalupe Ramos Hernandez. better known in the Biblioteca as Lupita, who has worked with the children for 15 years. Beginning as an assistant teacher when she got out of high school, today she heads the art program. Radames Lopez Olvera, an architect by profession, has taught in the workshops for about 12 years. The comprehensive program starts with the basics, teaching painting techniques, fostering creativity, and encouraging children to be responsible for washing their brushes and cleaning up their workspace. The children's artwork is offered for sale at different times of the year. Currently, signed works with a Christmas theme are on sale at La Tiendita, the shop near the main entrance to the Biblioteca, for 60 pesos each. Half of the proceeds go to the young artists themselves, and half support the program.

The painting classes at the Biblioteca are taught in two groups, depending on age, and the number of students varies throughout the year. Participation is entirely voluntary, and according to the teachers this arrangement has worked very well. Rather than as a chore, the students see the workshop as a welcome way to enjoy themselves after school.

The workshops are open to any child who would like to participate and are held on Mondays and Wednesdays for children 6 to 9 years of age and Tuesday and Thursdays for children 10 and up, both from from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M.