Cool Cats: Young Artists from Otoch Will Shine at Hennessy’s Exhibition

Young painters from Casa Otoch will showcase their artwork at an annual exhibition on Nov. 18 at Hennessy’s Irish Pub on Paseo de Montejo. The event allows student artists to see their work displayed and meet the people who buy it.

The Cool Cats art show starts at 7 p.m. and features paintings, greeting cards, Christmas cards and painted aprons created by children living at Casa Otoch, a state-run residential facility for at-risk youth in Mérida. All proceeds from sales go directly to the students.

Hennessy’s Irish Pub sponsors the event each year by providing space and refreshments for the students, directors and volunteers from Yucatán Giving Outreach, a nonprofit organization that coordinates art programs at the facility.

“The kids get gussied up for this,” one organizer said. “They’ll have karaoke this year and get to mingle with buyers. It’s a big deal for them.”

Casa Otoch, which means “home” in Maya, replaced the older Caimede facility in 2024. The modern campus in the Caucel II subdivision can house up to 250 children and adolescents under state guardianship. The facility opened after a 153 million peso ($8 million) investment by the Yucatán state government.

The children at Casa Otoch come from vulnerable situations. Many arrive because of family crises, abuse or abandonment. The facility provides them with housing, education, medical care and emotional support while they’re in the system.

Art programs play an important role in helping these young people express themselves and build confidence. Research has shown that art therapy can improve self-esteem among children in residential care, giving them a creative outlet to process difficult experiences.

Yucatán Giving Outreach has operated art programs at the facility for years through its Art with a Heart initiative. Volunteers teach weekly classes in painting, drawing and other creative activities. The Cool Cats show represents the culmination of a year’s work.

The annual exhibition gives students more than just a chance to sell their creations. Meeting buyers face-to-face helps them feel recognized and valued. For many kids who’ve experienced trauma or rejection, that validation matters.

Hennessy’s Irish Pub opened in 2010 on Paseo de Montejo and quickly became a gathering spot for locals, expats and travelers. Owners Sean Hennessy and Colm Cooney, both Irish expats, have supported community causes since the pub’s early days.

The venue’s central location and spacious layout make it ideal for the art show. Buyers can browse paintings and other items while enjoying the pub’s relaxed atmosphere. The event attracts seasoned collectors and first-time art buyers looking for unique, meaningful pieces.

Yucatán Giving Outreach, founded in 2013, provides support to more than 40 shelters and service organizations across the state. The nonprofit runs entirely on volunteers and donations. Beyond art classes, YGO operates food banks, a secondhand store and transitional housing programs for youth aging out of the care system.

The organization has partnered with other groups on fundraising events that support community development throughout the region. In addition to Casa Otoch, its Art with a Heart program reaches six other shelters.

For the students, the Cool Cats show represents more than an art exhibition. It’s an opportunity to be seen, celebrated and supported. Each painting sold helps fund their education and personal needs while they work toward reunification with families or other permanent placements.

The evening promises to showcase the talent and resilience of young people creating beauty despite difficult circumstances. Their artwork reflects technical skill, hope, imagination, and determination to build better futures.

If You Go

• Event: Cool Cats Student Art Show
• Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
• Location: Hennessy’s Irish Pub, Paseo de Montejo X Calle 41 y 43, Centro Histórico
• Items available: Original paintings, greeting cards, Christmas cards, painted aprons
• Proceeds: 100% benefit student artists
• Contact: 999-509-7089
• More info: Follow Yucatán Giving Outreach on Facebook