Travel to Oaxaca! Experience a Textile Immersion throughout the Region!
This month, I am delighted to share an exciting opportunity to travel to Oaxaca from May 15 to 22 alongside filmmaker and professor Carolyn Kallenborn and Ana Paula Fuentes, Founding Director of the Textile Museum of Oaxaca.
It's an interactive journey through which you’ll explore the rich textile culture of Oaxaca, meet talented artisans, participate in hands-on activities, bond with like-minded travelers, and eat some of the best food in the world. This is a truly unique opportunity to be immersed in Oaxaca's culture, beauty, and craft.
I’ve known Ana for years and her depth of knowledge for artisans and the region second to none. I have no doubt this will be an unforgettable experience and a memorable way to explore this part of the world.
See the full interview with Ana and Carolyn below to learn more about this incredible experience + itinerary.
1. For those new, please tell readers a bit about your background experience and a summary of this unique experience you are offering
Ana Paula Fuentes, a photographer and social designer originally hailing from Mexico City, has established her residence in Oaxaca since 2005. She held a pivotal position as the founding director of the Textile Museum of Oaxaca. As a social designer, Ana has collaborated with numerous non-profit organizations, artisans, designers, and cooperatives spanning Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas.
Notably, she most recently served as the director of the CADA Foundation, a commitment that reflects her dedication to supporting cultural heritage and identity. Since 2013, Ana has taken on the role of a cultural guide, leading tours across Mexico. Her professional focus lies in cultivating connections between foreigners and locals, with a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and respect.
Carolyn Kallenborn, Professor Emerita from the University of Wisconsin currently residing in Oaxaca, stands out as a distinguished artist. Her diverse exhibitions encompass textiles, film, installation, and community projects. Over the past two decades, she's been deeply involved with Oaxacan artisans, wearing multiple hats as a collaborator, facilitator, teacher, student, and design consultant.
Drawing on her extensive 25-year experience in university teaching, Kallenborn has been a guiding force—both artistically and culturally. She's mentored students, interns, academics, and artists on both sides of the border. Through impactful exhibitions and documentaries such as "Woven Lives" and "La Vida y Los Muertos," she has played a vital role in elevating the profile of Oaxacan artisans within the global art community.
'Woven Lives: Following The Thread,' provides hands ‘on workshops, as well as an insider's view into the evolution of artistic practice and entrepreneurship among Oaxacan artisans over the last two decades.
The adventure kicks off with a screening of Carolyn's 2010 documentary, 'Woven Lives: Contemporary Textiles from Ancient Oaxacan Traditions,' giving us a glimpse into the artisans' work, lives, and dreams from 14 years ago. Throughout the 7-day journey of 'Following The Thread,' participants will reconnect with these artisans in their studios, see their most recent work, dive into hands-on workshops, and share meals with their families for a truly immersive experience.
2. What, in your eyes, set this trip apart?
We will be visiting makers who are deeply involved in their cultural and historical roots. We will have opportunities for hands-on workshops as well as discussions about the significant shifts in the artisan world: from the impact of global visual communication through the internet to the surge in artisanal products, the repercussions of the pandemic, generational changes, the booming tourism in Oaxaca, and the rising interest in collaborative projects between artisans and individuals beyond their communities. It's a holistic exploration of the dynamic landscape of artisanal work in Oaxaca.
Ana and Carolyn have been deeply involved with these artisans for 15 years, taking on various roles and building personal connections that pave the way for meaningful conversations, delving into the intricacies and nuances of the artisans' lives and worldviews. We will lead conversations to gain insights into artisans’ perspectives on their work, lives, and the myriad changes that have unfolded in the past two decades.
3. For those on the fence, who is this trip perfectly suited for?
Well, this is not your typical tour to see textiles and techniques. Yes, we will see those, but we're going beyond the surface, delving deep into understanding the factors influencing cultural development, uncovering the motivations driving artisans, and exploring how they navigate challenges in a quickly changing environment.
This trip is designed for those who appreciate beautiful textiles, care about fair trade, are intrigued by artisan entrepreneurship, want to learn from traditional communities, or are invested in sustainability (whether environmental, economic, or cultural). We're not just about the "what"; we're all about the "why." If you're the kind of person who craves a tour with substance, where every thread tells a story, then this is the right experience.
4. Can you tell readers a bit more about the experiences they will partake in? Here's just a little glimpse into the itinerary.
Our first stop is Santo Tomas Jalieza, where we'll meet Abigail Mendoza and her family. Using cotton yarns on a backstrap loom, they craft intricate patterns using tools and techniques passed down from pre-Hispanic times.
We’ll travel high to the Sierra Norte to the silk-making village of San Pedro Cajonos. We will have a tour of the state-of-the-art Sanctuario de Gusano de Seda (Silkworm Sanctuary), along with a silk-making process tour and a hands-on natural dye workshop. Throughout the day, we will discuss with Moises and fellow artisans, exploring their experiences in this new communal space and the impact of silk production on their community.
In Mitla, we'll visit Cocijo Artesania Texil, owned by Rodrigo Hernandez and his family. Keeping the family tradition alive with hand-weaving on a fly-shuttle loom, Rodrigo will share insights into how local initiatives, university education, and social media have played a role in increasing their visibility and connecting with new clients.
In the next three days, we will be in Teotitlan del Valle, known for the exquisite weaving by Zapotec artisans for millennia. At Bii Dauu cooperative, we'll explore their farm, where they cultivate plants for natural dyes, try our hand at dyeing wool with natural materials, and delve into a discussion on the interaction of nature with their lifestyle. The next day, Master weaver Tito Mendoza will lead a tapestry weaving workshop, sharing his creative journey. And on the last day in Teoti, we'll have a cooking class with Reyna Mendoza in their family home.
On our last day, we'll immerse ourselves in the city's vibrant art scene, where Oaxaca's rural cultures converge. The Textile Museum of Oaxaca and San Pablo Cultural Center have played pivotal roles in the renaissance of traditional arts in the area. At Baúles de Juana Cata, we'll see beautiful textiles and meet Remigio Mestas Revilla, who has dedicated over 30 years to reviving, preserving, and renewing indigenous textiles of Oaxaca. We hope you can join us for the captivating adventure!
For more info, please visit https://www.travelingtradersbazaar.com/pages/woven-lives-a-textile-immersion-in-oaxaca.
Contact:
Ana Paula Fuentes - paulafq@hotmail.com
Carolyn Kallenborn - cmkallen@earthlink.net