The Crescent Moon Project (CMP) was born from a dream that founder Priscilla Duran had for her daughter and the other children in Los Barriles. Growing up in the small town, Duran recognized the limited extracurricular opportunities available to local youth. Driven by a desire to expose them to the arts, she initiated free, easily accessible art programs with the help of volunteers.

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In early 2021, Melissa McDonald and her family arrived in Los Barriles, bringing a wealth of energy and creative ideas to the project. Eager to contribute, Melissa joined Priscilla in expanding CMP's reach. However, funding shortages and the surge of COVID-19 cases forced a temporary halt to in-person classes.

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Undeterred, in June 2021, Priscilla and Melissa organized "Margaritas and Watercolors," CMP's first successful fundraiser. The event generated funds to distribute 100 art kits to children throughout the community. When in-person classes resumed, they quickly became a vital outlet for children, providing both fun and creative expression.

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By October, young artists had created works that were successfully auctioned at a Día de los Muertos event, leading to the establishment of weekly painting classes at Café Maria. In December, the inaugural "Margaritas and Ornaments" night brought together 35 participants to craft festive decorations using donated supplies.

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Weekly classes continued to flourish in local spaces, utilizing donated materials and culminating in the creation of a vibrant community mural. However, challenges related to language, cultural differences, and the intense summer heat underscored the need for more suitable facilities and qualified instructors.

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In October 2022, a significant milestone was reached with the opening of a dedicated art space at Palmas de Cortez Resort. The following year, a generous donation enabled CMP to hire a full-time art teacher, significantly expanding class offerings for children. Concurrently, CMP embarked on the journey of becoming an official Mexican non-profit organization, establishing its first-ever Board of Directors (Priscilla Duran, Betsy Fox, Melissa Fujimoto Kilkenny, Melissa McDonald, and Priscilla Watts).

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CMP actively collaborates with other local organizations, playing a key role in organizing the inaugural Los Barriles Día de los Muertos parade, which has since become an annual community tradition. In 2024, CMP co-sponsored the Curso de Verano summer camp, providing art classes, materials, and invaluable support. That year, over 125 children participated in CMP art projects, accumulating a remarkable 700 hours of creative engagement.