“Art at the MAC,” a monthly series of free children’s after-school and summer classes at the Mexican American Council headquarters, will get started from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 31.
The MAC Center is located at 1537 South Washington, across from Hoyt Park, and the topic will be art design.
Alberto A. Jimenez is beginning his eighth year as a volunteer, donating many hours to organizing and overseeing the classes.
Alberto’s interest was inspired by his art instructor at Jessie Rouse Elementary School, the late Ron Lopez, who was known in the arts community not only as a teacher but as a local musician. Later, at Carrollton Middle and Carrollton High (Class of ’99) he was an actor in school plays, and he also helped to design and construct the sets. He played a similar role when he assisted Union Civica in designing floats for the Cinco de Mayo Parade. In 2016, through the Mexican American Council, he volunteered to establish a youth arts enrichment program.
Jimenez has made connections with Saginaw Valley State University’s Marshall Fredericks Museum, which connects visiting art professors to the MAC Center, most recently Luke Dziubya, who led the way in producing a civil rights mural. He also has worked on mini-grants and donations for supplies.
He believes arts can make a difference in careers, anything from teaching in the arts to graphic design. He doesn’t admonish students to “put down those phones,” rather he shows how to create art on the hand-helds.) Also, he says art can make a difference in a young person’s behavior, promoting self-expression as an alternative to acting out in negative ways.
All children are welcome, with lessons geared to their age groups. In January, Jimenez was voted as vice-president of the MAC board. To learn more about Art at the MAC email Jimenez at aaajimenez9@gmail.com.
