ArtePalma / Juan Garcia Mendoza

Tribal affiliation: Mixtec

How to purchase:
Email: bazaar@culturalsurvival.org

Bio:

Juan Garcia Mendoza is a Mixtec artisan from San Pedro Jocotipac, Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a master craftsman of popular art who from an early age learned the technique of weaving with palm, now he is excited with the results of arte palma, as well as the improvement of the quality and variety of products for the conservation and preservation of these ancestral techniques. Previously, women were the ones who dedicated a greater percentage to weaving and the products were sold at very low prices. Nowadays this has changed, thanks to the collaboration of Arte Palma, artisans find prices that really recognize the time and work that is invested in the elaboration of the products. Also, it is not only a women's job, but a men's job from 65 to 70 years old. In addition, this collaboration consists of teaching new techniques and providing new information so that people develop their skills and create products with innovative elements. Juan creates a source of work for his community, this group of men (older adults) who normally would not have work, feel that labor is useful, helping in the process of making products, which each day encourages them to continue with this job because they earn an income without leaving their communities. It is something that motivates them, makes them feel useful and lead collaborative capacity workshops.

The process to make a piece begins when the palm begins to be harvested in the field, dried in the sun for an average of four to five days, prepare in rolls, clean the palm and finally weave it. A piece to finish takes an average of one week. In the case of bags and backpacks, the leather handles are added.