Girl is recongized by the Consulate of Mexico

Intermountain Catholic

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Frida Kahlo and Mexico's colors and liveliness were the inspiration behind Jaskowski's painting. ?When you paint, you express your emotions and everyone can see them,? she said.

SALT LAKE CITY — Mexico’s traditions, people, and history have been the inspiration for legendary painters such as Frida Kahlo and young artists such as Marisa Athena Jaskowski Fierro, who is 10 years old.

Jaskowski participated in the "Este es mi Mexico" 2008 children’s drawing contest with the intention of capturing her mother’s native land in paint. She achieved this and more. Her drawing was chosen from more than 5, 000 drawings from all over the world to be the cover of a calendar.

"Mexico is a happy, lively place with lots of colors and lots of activities. I think every kid should go to Mexico at least once to see the color and happiness there," said Jaskowski, a member of Saint Ambrose parish in Salt Lake City.

There are, however, a lot of children who have not visited the Aztec nation. For those of Mexican ancestry, the contest is an opportunity to learn about those things that their parents saw and lived and to represent in a drawing the Mexico they have in their hearts, said Gabriel Perez, counselor of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad.

Jaskowski said she felt very proud of her Mexican roots, a feeling her mother, Consuelo Fierro has instilled.

"I don’t want my daughters to lose the love for our culture," said Fierro. Therefore, she teaches them about Mexico through different festivities, movies, and books about painters such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The works of Kahlo inspired Jaskowski to paint the piece that was recognized by the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City during a small reception Jan. 30.

Jaskowski’s painting, besides being the cover for the calendar, will illustrate the diplomas given to those children who participated in the contest and will be part of an exhibit with the 60 best drawings that will be shown around the world, including Salt Lake City.

Roseanne Newell, principal of Oakridge Elementary, Jaskowski’s school, said she is proud of Jaskowski and that "At Oakridge, our philosophy is to provide the fine arts to children so they learn better."

"She is always prepared with her work and does a wonderful job with the kids around her," said Tyler Howe, Jaskowski’s language teacher.

"I’m proud of her. She caught up quickly in art," said Mila, Jaskowski’s older sister.

Jaskowski said she wants to be a painter when she grows up because "When you paint, you express your emotions and everyone can see them without having to show them with your face or body."

The Consulate of Mexico gave Jaskowski a sketchbook and some professional color pencils so she continues to develop her artistic abilities. But for Jaskowski, the best gift was "the big chance to paint and have other people looking at my painting."

Children of any nationality who wish to participate in the "Este es mi Mexico" 2009 contest should be between 7 and 11 years old, draw on a 12" x 12" squared cardboard or paper using any technique, fill out a form available at the office of the Consulate of Mexico, and send the drawing to the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City before June 15. Themes about the Mexican Independence and the Mexican Revolution are recommended. For more information contact Guido Arochi or Gloria Tapia at (801) 521-8503 extensions 23 and 29.