Artist who painted border wall is bringing her art to the children of Sonora

Versión en español

NACO, Sonora – Just a few steps from the border wall in Naco, Sonora, where two countries face each other across a steel barrier, something vibrant happens every week: dozens of children visit Studio Mariposa to paint, create art and develop their talent.

From Bisbee, Arizona, visual artist Gretchen Baer crosses the border every Tuesday to open the doors of the studio located just a few steps from the port of entry that connects Naco, Sonora, with Naco, Arizona. There, amidst laughter and conversation, children receive painting lessons and find a place to express themselves.

Studio Mariposa was founded nine years ago and has been a human bridge between two communities separated by a wall, but united by everyday life. From 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday, the studio fills with children's voices, background music and little hands sharing paintbrushes.

“First, I started painting the wall accompanied by some children,” recalls Baer, ​​whose works are created at the Central School Project and exhibited for sale at Cafe Roka and the Belleza Gallery in Bisbee.

For approximately two years, she and the children painted the wall until they covered a mile of it. The steel bars and a plaque located at the top of the wall were decorated with sky blue paint, creating the illusion that the wall disappears in the distance.

They painted suns, flowers, butterflies and numerous other natural elements. “They painted happy things,” said Baer, ​​pointing to the wall.

Then she wanted to bring her art directly to the children, and that's how the studio was born. She started with approximately 50 children and today between 100 and 200 attend to practice art, she said.

She started alone, but is now helped by several volunteers from Arizona and Sonora.

Nine years ago, when Baer opened the doors of Studio Mariposa, María Osbeli Gutiérrez joined her efforts. Since then, she has continued to volunteer. She brings her grandson Carlos, who has been coming since he was six years old and is now 15, and her granddaughter Maritza, who has been coming since she was four years old and is now 13, along with her.

She enjoys helping the children, she said, preparing the necessary materials for them to create their artwork. 

A space that unites the community

While the children have fun, they chat with each other, share paintbrushes, help each other paint and listen to music in the background. A few steps away, some mothers watch their children from a distance, while others sit beside them as they paint. They have the freedom to do so.

Esmeralda Rodríguez is a mother who brings her two daughters, ages seven and eight. She's been bringing them since they were about three years old, she recalls. She hasn't stopped coming because she sees that both girls enjoy drawing; they also do it at home, she said.

The spirit of the place is also evident in the details. A Hyundai Sonata parked outside catches the eye, as its paint job is unlike that of any other car—the hood is pink and has a butterfly painted on it. On each side, the two doors also feature a butterfly, in addition to other colors, such as blue and orange, on the front bumper.

That car is always parked outside the offices of the organization, which also has a very colorful facade.

Mary K. Pyle, a resident of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and a visual artist, met Baer two years ago and told her that she needed help at the Studio. Since then, she has crossed the border to support her.

“There’s a lot of fun, and the kids are very sweet. They want to learn to paint, and this is an opportunity to learn about art and colors,” Pyle commented. Her work is exhibited in galleries in Tubac, Tucson, Patagonia, and Bisbee, Arizona, as well as in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Amarillo, Texas.

Baer believes that her art classes help children relax, have fun and express themselves. Therefore, Studio Mariposa is more than just painting classes. It's a space to feel heard, where the binational community comes together.