Sergio’s Isla Art

Sergio the artist - Tiffany Wareing photo

He has an irrepressible smile that lights up his weathered face; whether he is teaching batik, painting a mural or riding his bicycle he is always smiling. 

Sergio was born sixty-two years ago in Champotoń in the state of Campeche into a family of three sisters and three brothers.  His family moved to Isla Mujeres when he was a young boy, and he has lived on the island, on and off, for over fifty years.  When he was a younger man Sergio worked on several construction projects in the Tulum area. 

Sergio - at the Isla Mujeres Art Fair - photo from FB page

And then there was a seven-year period when he lived twenty-five meters above ground, in a very primitive tree-house.  

When asked by a friend why he lived so high up he replied with a face-splitting grin. 

“You have to get above the snakes!”  

That’s about eighty-two feet above the ground, a long way down if you roll over in the night, forgetting you are high up in the trees. 

Sergio - photo Ceceila Hart-Hodges

Keenly interested in anything to do with art since he was a small child, Sergio has mastered the Indonesian technique of Rōkézūzūmi batik.   

His gorgeous wall hangings are complex and brightly coloured, depicting Maya themes.  

They can be purchased at the Isla Mujeres Art Fair which takes place the first Thursday of every month between November and April.  The Art Fair is located at the Casa de Cultura in Centro, on the eastern side of the island near the municipal esplanade.

Sergio teaching kids at the Casa de Cultura

Sergio has also done a number of wall murals, the most recent being the Maya goddess IxChel on Ronda and Bruce Robert’s house, next door to our casa.  

And on Tuesdays and Thursdays he teaches classes in batik or tie-dying at the Casa de Cultura.  

The information is available on his Facebook page, thanks to John and Valerie Pasnau who are the energy behind promoting Sergio’s artworks.

Recent students, Danielle, Barbara, and Carol

Here’s the information for art lessons from Sergio:

There are two classes a week, every week, Tuesday and Thursday.

Start time is 10 am, Gringo time. 
Finish time is when we finish, Mexican time, about three hours.

Fee is 350 pesos plus 50 pesos to cover materials. You will make a batik or tie-dye wall hanging.

Sergio's work - photo Isla Art Fair FB page

Classes are held in the Cultural Center in Centro.  Classroom door is in the center courtyard.  

If the front door is closed walk around to the Caribbean side. The courtyard is open on that side.

We hope you will let us know in advance if you plan to come, but drop-ins are welcome.

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So, either way, get some beautiful art; purchase one of Sergio’s creations, or make your own fabulous wall hanging.  

What a great souvenir of a vacation in paradise.

Hasta Luego

Lynda & Lawrie

Sergio - fascinating mural at John & Valerie's house

Christmas Parades, Parties and Processions

It’s that wonderful time of the year! The island is buzzing with seasonal activities, music and colour. 

Early in the month the Mexican Christmas celebrations begin with the Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe; many church processions and masses are held in her honor. Then on December 16th the Posadas started and continued until December 24th. The word posada means inn or shelter, and in Mexico the posadas are re-enactments of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. 

The procession makes its way to a different home on each night of the posada, and the participants sing a traditional song asking for admittance. The family inside the house responds with another song telling the group that there is no room at the inn. 

Eventually the song changes and the group is admitted to the home and supplied with food and drinks, plus a candy-filled piñata for the children. It is an important Christmas celebration in Mexico where an estimated eighty-five percent of the population observe the Catholic faith.

Colegio de Bachilleres students

By mid-month most of the schools were preparing to close for their Christmas holidays, and groups of students performed songs, plays, and skits for their parents and school friends. 

The basketball court across the street from our house was the venue for the high school skits. Each group of students had choreographed their dance routine to a well-known Christmas carol. 

Colegio de Bachilleres students

It was great fun to sit on our upper patio watching the enthusiastic performances of Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Baby, and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. 

I’m thinking someone should re-write those songs for the tropics: maybe Rocking Around the Palm Tree? Or Riding on a One Dolphin Surfboard? Any volunteers? Many years ago I was booted out of a community choir for my lack of musical talent, so it won’t be me. 

Lupe, Yadira, and Freddy (Elmo) 

On Saturday December 19th we participated in the 3rd Annual Christmas Golf Cart Christmas, the brain-child of our friends Freddy Medina and Yadira Velázquez. 

It was hilariously good fun as we ricocheted through the tightly packed neighbourhoods, following Manolo Figueroa’s very changeable route. 

Sandra Buckholts and her sweetie

Many of us pondered the effectiveness of the brakes on a dilapidated party bus at the head of the parade. We faithfully followed the route up the only-steep-hill-on-the-island, zig-zagging through the narrow streets, and back down the only-steep-hill. 

We didn’t hear of any mishaps, so assume that everyone successfully negotiated the route. 

This year there were at least thirty golf carts festooned with lights and Christmas decorations. About a hundred and twenty excited participants dressed in costumes and a variety of Santa hats.

Valerie and John Pasnau

A surprise arrival of a golf cart driven by Santa and Mrs. Claus (John and Valerie Pasnau) was a great addition to the parade. 

Our police motorcycle escort was terrific at keeping the group together - like herding cats - as the line of golf carts and motorcycles wound its way through various areas on the island. 

Great job guys - keeping us all together! 

Freddy Medina and Lawrie

Everyone had candy to throw, but as usually happens we all get overly enthusiastic at the beginning of the parade, and run out of treats before the parade ends in Centro. 

Note to self: ration the candy, don’t toss huge handfuls at every child. Love this time of year in paradise.

It may not be politically correct to wish you Merry Christmas instead of Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays – but on this island Christmas is an important family and religious celebration.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Lawrie & Lynda





On a personal note: We have a young female lab-retriever who has been residing at our house for over two weeks.  She would like to be returned to her own family, but we don't know where she lives.  If you recognize this young lady please leave me a message on the comments below, or on FaceBook.  She is a sweetie: gentle, house-trained, and leash-trained.  Someone has put a lot of love into her upbringing.  I am sure there is a family anxiously waiting for her return.

Female, about 2 years old, good health, spayed.

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