.png)
CELEBRATING 1000 HOURS OF FREE ART EXPERIENCES OVER THE PAST YEAR!
Our Mission
Crescent Moon Project provides free classes in the arts to children. Through these expressive and creative experiences, we teach children about the challenges facing our communities and aim to teach, empower and inspire in them the ability to care for others and the environment, to be responsible, to work cooperatively and inclusively, and to celebrate the strength of diversity in our communities. Through this hands-on work, we aspire to create the next generation of compassionate and empathetic leaders.​
​
Our History
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.
​
In early 2021, Melissa McDonald and her family arrived in Los Barriles, bringing a wealth of energy and creative ideas to the project. 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.
​
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. When in-person classes resumed, they quickly became a vital outlet for children, providing both fun and creative expression.
​
By October, young artists had created works that were successfully auctioned at a Día de los Muertos event, leading to 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.
​
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.
​
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).
​
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.
​
In this past year alone, the collective efforts of our teacher, a special project muralists, Artists Collective members, and volunteers have help us provide more than 1,000 hours of free art opportunities for the children of Los Barriles. Thank you, Los Barriles, for your generosity!
Art helps children develop creativity, emotional expression, thinking, and fine motor skills, while also boosting confidence and mental well-being. Engaging in art from a young age supports overall growth in a fun and meaningful way.
Crescent Moon Project Offerings and Annual Events
Art Studio Classes
Weekly free art classes for children, ages 5 through high school, exploring painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more, often tied to Mexican culture. Classes are led by a passionate local teacher, Yasmin Meraz.
Artist Collective
Local artists donate their time to collaborate with small groups of students, sharing their creative processes over a series of sessions. Student collaborative works and artist donated pieces will be featured in CMP’s Spring Auction.
Community Collaborations
-
Murals: Have you seen the mural by Restaurante San Miguel de Allende on the bypass road?! Guided by professional muralist, Carla Yannayon, our students, as well as parents and volunteers, were able to participate in what turned out to be a town masterpiece. Be sure to check out their amazing work! Several years ago, our students also helped paint the mural behind the barrels at the town entrance.
-
El Cardonal Children's Home: Our young artists painted rock markers for the plants in the new garden.
-
Día del Niño and Dia de Los Muertos: Crescent Moon Project, along with the local Rotary Club, sponsors these traditional Mexican celebrations.
-
Curso de Verano: CMP co-sponsors a summer camp where 100 children receive free art classes and materials. Our older students serve as volunteers strengthening their leadership skills.
Easy ways to support free art classes for the children of Los Barriles:
-
Sponsor our ART CENTER rent for a month. As a thank you, you will receive a student painting.
​
-
Donate Art Materials: Choose from this Wish List, select Priscilla Duran’s address, and the gift will be delivered directly to CMP. Click here.
​​
-
Donate Funds: Make a US tax-deductible donation: Through L2G at this link.
​
-
Volunteer: Assist with one group in the Artist Collective. No need to be an artist—just an engaged and supportive adult supporting the Artist Teacher. Py volunteer at one of our fun art or fundraising events.​​​
How Can You Help?
Easy ways to support free art classes for the children of Los Barriles:
​​
-
Sponsor a month of the Art Center rent at $300.
-
Donate Supplies: Choose from this Wish List, select Priscilla Duran’s address, and the gift will be delivered directly to CMP. https://www.amazon.com.mx/hz/wishlist/ls/1NCS3GXHFZ1FH...
-
Donate Funds: Through L2G at this link (be sure to click Crescent Moon on the menu). https://tinyurl.com/4zf54rae
-
Volunteer: Assist with one group in the Artist Collective. No need to be an artist—just an engaged and supportive adult supporting the Artist Teacher
​
FUNDRAISING & SIGNATHON 2025-26 SEASON
Student Artists in Action
Volunteer Board.
Priscilla Duran
Co-Chair, Founder, Treasurer
A lifelong resident of Los Barriles, Priscilla is the founder and heart of Crescent Moon. She’s also a member of the Rotary Club, a real estate agent with Homes and Land of Baja, and the owner of LosBarriles.Life, a vacation rental and property management company. Priscilla lives in Los Barriles with her husband and daughter, Luna, and is driven by a passion for community, creativity, and giving back.
Betsy Fox
Co-Chair, Secretary
Betsy Fox brings extensive experience to her role as Board Co-Chair and Secretary, with a background as both a school administrator and educational consultant. She has played a key role in developing the organizational structure and art curriculum of Crescent Moon. Betsy spends her winters in Los Barriles and resides in Northern California the rest of the year with her husband and two cats.
Sally Inglis
Social Media Coordinator
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sally Inglis is an entrepreneur and adventurer at heart. A journey through the USA, Canada, and the Baja Peninsula led Sally and her husband to Los Barriles, where she found a strong sense of community and purpose. Sally volunteers with Cortez Rescue and SNAP. She also serves on the board of Crescent Moon Project, where she is proud to help support programs that inspire and empower the next generation. Sally believes strongly in giving back and is passionate about building stronger communities through service, compassion, and action.
Gaby Law
A winter resident of Los Barriles since retirement, Gaby has volunteered for Friends Supporting Families, as well as establishing a Mahjong Club. She is currently assisting at her son's company, performing tasks such as bookkeeping, invoicing, and client communications.A former flight attendant of 38 years and substitute teacher, Gaby looks forward to bringing her love of interacting with others to CMP. Her many other interests and loves include Pickleball, Yoga, and enjoying life with her best friend and husband Jim.
Sonia Lunceford
Artist Collective Coordinator
Sonia Lunceford is an educational consultant with a multicultural, multilingual background and a passion for leadership education. A lifelong traveler, she is dedicated to fostering creativity, compassion, and connection across cultures. Now living in Los Barriles, Sonia serves on the Crescent Moon Project Board and volunteers with the East Cape Guild and Cortez Rescue. She is deeply devoted to serving her community and brings compassion, creativity and a global perspective to her work supporting children through the arts.
Alison Shepherd
Volunteer Coordinator
Alison is a former school teacher from Alberta, Canada. After visiting Baja for the past 15 years, she and her husband are now part-time residents of Los Barriles. Alison has a keen interest in developing deeper ties within the community. As a new board member, she is looking forward to helping the children of Los Barriles realize their creative and artistic potential. She is excited to be working alongside the many volunteers who generously donate their time, energy and talents to the Crescent Moon Project.
Priscilla Watts
Board Member Emeritus
Priscilla Watts has been part of the Los Barriles community for over 40 years and has long supported expanding arts opportunities for local youth. She taught some of the first Crescent Moon Project art classes and continues to volunteer wherever there’s a need for arts education. Today, she serves on the Crescent Moon board, where she enjoys supporting new creative initiatives through fundraising and community involvement. Her lovely home has been the site of the organization’s annual fundraisers.
Monthly Blog
May 2026
​
Talent That Transcends: Crescent Moon Project Pride
​
We are proud to celebrate several of our Crescent Moon Project high school artists for their outstanding participation in the 2026 Municipal Art and Culture Competition, held recently at the Colegio de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos Los Planes campus.
​
Our students rose to the challenge, competing alongside exceptional talent from schools across the municipality of La Paz. It was a day where dedication, countless hours of practice, and artistic sensitivity came to life in every stroke.
We extend special congratulations to:
-
Samuel Tirado – 3rd Place, Municipal Drawing Samuel’s ability to communicate profound ideas through graphite left a lasting impression. Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!
​​
-
Melanie Fuentes and Jazmin Valladares – Honorable Mentions in Painting
Their strong technique and powerful visual storytelling in acrylics reflect true dedication and artistic voice.
​
These young artists from Los Barriles represent the voice of a thoughtful and engaged generation. Beyond the recognition of their artistic talent, we celebrate their courage to explore important themes such as water conservation, environmental stewardship, peace, and the protection of our marine ecosystem.
​
Thank you to the parents and teachers who supported them, and especially to Crescent Moon Project instructor Erika Yasmin Meraz for her guidance and commitment.
Let’s continue to uplift art and culture in our youth!
June, 2026
Wires, Wonder, and Creativity: What Crescent Moon Project Kids Are Exploring This Month
This month at Crescent Moon Project, our young artists are exploring the inspiring world of sculptor and educator Ruth Asawa, best known for her beautiful woven wire sculptures and her belief that art belongs to everyone. Ruth Asawa’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and perseverance. As a child, she lived in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, yet she later became a world-famous artist, educator, and mother of six children.
Through our monthly artist studies, students are learning far more than art — they are also connecting with history, culture, geography, and the social sciences.
Inspired by Asawa’s artistic process, students have spent the month experimenting with drawing, sculpture, movement, and fiber-inspired techniques. They began by studying her delicate wire forms and practicing observational drawing using flowers, shells, and leaves. Through continuous line drawing exercises, students learned to slow down, notice details, and explore how lines can move through space. From there, students shifted into three-dimensional work. Using paper strips, bubbles, yarn, pipe cleaners, and wire, children experimented with balance, repetition, looping, and weaving to create hanging sculptures and sculptural nets inspired by Asawa’s work. These projects encouraged patience, coordination, and creative problem-solving while sparking conversations about craftsmanship and persistence.
As the month comes to a close, students are combining their new skills into larger collaborative and individual sculptures. They are building layered forms, adding texture with beads and mixed materials, and assembling suspended artworks inspired by Asawa’s iconic hanging sculptures.
At Crescent Moon Project, art is never just about the final product. Students are learning to take creative risks, collaborate with others, think spatially, and trust their own ideas. Most importantly, they are experiencing the joy of creating something entirely their own. Thank you for your support of and interest in the young emerging artists of Los Barriles!
Community Collaborators
Special thanks to Club Rotario Los Barriles Cabo de Este, Asociación de Artes, and Leaders to Give who support us in various ongoing ways.
