Jackson Free Press

Alex Melnick and other members of art advocacy organization Ko'ox Boon, which is Mayan for "Let's paint," will present the documentary film "The Barefoot Artist" tonight, April 7, at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St., 601-974-1000).

Ko'ox advocates artistic advancement and town improvement, including health and literacy, in both Jackson and Yucatan, Mexico. Ko'ox helps organize community efforts to build community centers and create murals, including one in the town of Yaxhachen. Ko'ox is also organizing an art project for children at the annual Millsaps-Midtown Block Party at 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 10.

"The Barefoot Artist" chronicles the life of Lily Yeh, a Philadelphia-based artist originally from China who has committed herself to creating community-based art projects in some of the world's most troubled areas. Beginning with a sculpture garden, Yeh started in the projects of north Philadelphia that, 18 years later, became known as The Village of Arts and Humanities. The film shows Yeh at work in locations such as Kenya and Rwanda, where she teaches war survivors to make murals and sculptures based on their experiences.

"The film shows all the ways Lily Yeh works with the communities she visits to beautify their towns," Melnick said. "It also follows her journey to use her art to heal herself from the effects of a traumatic childhood in rural China, in addition to the healing she brings to the world. The murals and other public art she creates, often with the help of local children, are bright, abstract, upbeat and decorative."

Originally from Jupiter, Fla., Melnick, 21, moved to Jackson to attend Millsaps in 2012. She majors in communications with a minor in philosophy.

Melnick, executive intern for Ko'ox, has been with the organization since January. She got to know Mandi Strickland and Phillip Boyett, who founded Ko'ox with Allie Jordan in 2013, during a Millsaps class trip to Yucatan last summer.

"Mandi, Phillip and I knew of each other through mutual friends before the trip, but we truly bonded during the Yucatan trip," Melnick said. "We explored the town of Yaxhachen together, met the local children and bought watermelons for them to eat. I was so moved and touched by (the children), and we established a strong connection. They don't have art supplies or toys to distract themselves during the day, so Ko'ox supplies them with both art and education."

Ko'ox is working to establish Casa de Cultura, a schoolhouse where children can get paint supplies and have access to a public library, in Yaxhachen. The organization has chosen an established location and is working to get electricity and running water for the building, Melnick said. The local community will own and operate Casa de Cultura and give residents the power to create more jobs, boost the local economy and create local crafts to sell around Mexico.

Melnick said her commitment to helping others and educating them about art brought her to Ko'ox.

"I believe art is a human right everyone should have access to," Melnick said. "Everyone should have the means to express themselves. Art is critical to human development."

The screening of "The Barefoot Artist" starts at 6:30 p.m. on Millsaps' west lawn. Attendees must bring their own blanket. The event is free, and Millsaps will provide free popcorn. Ko'ox will host an art project after the film in which those who attend will be able to paint 4-foot wooden statues Ko'ox members have prepared. The painted statues will go on display in local businesses such as Soul Wired Cafe and Offbeat.

"We're expecting people from Millsaps, Belhaven, Fondren and all parts of the Jackson to be there tonight," Melnick said. "We hope that watching a movie about creating art for your town will get people motivated to go out and do so for themselves. This is sure to be a fun time for everyone."

For more information on Ko'ox Boon and tonight's event, contact Melnick at 561-222-5930 or visit kooxboon.com. Learn more about "The Barefoot Artist" at barefootartistmovie.com.