Meeting the Artists: Inside the making of Mexican Folk Art

Back-strap loom showing the purpura purple

While many people love Mexican folk art, not as many understand how it is made and what makes a piece found in a local market place different from the work of the carefully chosen artisans who display their art at the Feria. Last year, to help people understand the processes and materials that are the foundation of Mexican Folk Art, the Feria initiated a series of educational presentations by some of the artisans. The series was such a hit that it will be continued this year.

A story that was heard frequently last year comes from the presentation by the group of weavers from Oaxaca know as Dreamweavers. Several people reported that they had admired one of the Dreamweaver huipiles or other pieces of work but didn’t truly understand its beauty and uniqueness until they attended their presentation. There they learned about the men who go into a hazardous sea to pry the purpura snail from the rocks and gently coax its “milk” onto the cotton yarn they carry. In the sunlight this milk turns a luxurious purple. The presentation included a video and a chance to hold one of the endangered purpura shells. 

Rug by Jacobo Mendoza

The Dreamweavers presentation last year helped lead to this year’s theme: The Colors of Nature and they will be back this year to share their amazing story and more about what they are doing to protect the endangered snail. 

Here are the presentations that are scheduled for this year:

Marta Turok: The challenges of sustainability and natural dyes and the future of two of the most iconic Mexican garments. Leading Mexican Folk Art expert Marta Turok will give us a behind the scenes look at what is being done to protect the future for the Mexican Folk Art world.

Mariano & Cilau Valadez: Overview of the deep spiritual beliefs expressed in colorful Huichol yarn art.

Guadalupe (Lupe) García Rios: The making of high-fired ceramics using ancient Purépecha symbols.

Dreamweavers: Ancient traditions: purple magic from an endangered snail.

Jacobo Mendoza: Beyond colors and shapes … Zapotec rug weaving, symbols and working with colors from nature.

More about the ancient traditions of the purple dye.