Happily in Mexico

Jean Pierre and Roberto

Casa Elena

Mary Z. and Sally in Diego Riviera Museum

Yael, Archie, Susan and Mary L. in Roberto's studio

One of Roberto's tapestries

Just finished Yelapa Journey tapestry and cartoon

February 3, 2013

CATCH-UP REPORT FROM MEXICO

It has been a whirlwind several weeks since I arrived in Mexico City January 14. I was blessed with an easy flight and taxi ride into town. Arrived to a pleasant greeting from the counter at Hotel Cathedral. After getting settled in my room I had a pleasant dinner visit with one of the other exhibitors soon followed by  a larger group of artists. The gathering grew and my roommate appeared to complete the scene. A good night's sleep rested us for the day Jean Pierre and Yael had prepared for us. After that, it's a blur of heavenly visits to museums and historical sites. Between the Diego Riviera Museum and Frida Kaloh's Blue House we visited an artist friend of JP and Yael's. Roberto and his wife were delightful hosts and we stayed there much longer than was planned. The whole time we were in the company of their friend Laura, whom I had met and thoroughly enjoyed last year. Some of her wonderful watermelon thread and bead jewelry was on exhibit at Roberto's and i fell in love with them. Later in Oaxaca we had coffee together in the Zocolo and I chose one necklace and some earrings of hers. They'll be such a great reminder of this lovely and interesting woman.

The second day was devoted to more museums including the unbelievable Anthropology Museum. Mexico City is incomparable.

Our third day was devoted to the trip from Mexico City to Oaxaca City. I arrived at my home away from, "Las Mariposas" a little wobbly from some sort of systemic disorder that hit me during the bus ride. Must have been an 18 hour "something" because I was fine by the next day. We jumped right into the symposium at the San Pablo Foundation with fifteen minute talks by all the artists complete with translations into Spanish and English. Very exciting to see the work and hear from everyone. That was continued into the next day at the end of which was the opening of the exhibit. That was spectacular. The San Pablo facility is just next door to the Oaxaca Textile Museum where the opening was held. Beautiful old buildings remodeled very sensitively by an outstanding Mexican architect. Simply a joy to be in its midst. I joined my north coast fellow artists and Mary Z. for a delightful dinner at the end of the passageway facing the San Pablo. Only the beginning of the great quest for the best mole. It just keeps going. Each one is  better than the last. Sometimes difficult to hold even partially to my salad regime.

Sunday we were whisked away from the city to an amazing welcome by the weaving community of Teotitlan del Valle where we were to spend the week visiting with weavers, exchanging tips and techniques and touring the area. We were welcomed at the Mendoza compound in the middle of town by an impressive brass band composed of elders down to a six year old playing the triangle very seriously. We were ushered into a dining room with a huge long banquet table where we feasted and danced and drank mescal all afternoon before being delivered to our various homes for the week. Mary, Shirley and I were taken to Casa Elena which was hugely accommodating. Very centrally located for visits to the morning market and breakfast at Descanso Restaurant. Then, each day we were delivered by little mini-cabs to our respective studios. My daily destination was to the lovely studio of Jacobo and Maria Louisa Mendoza. Tomorrow, some descriptions and pictures from their highly productive work place. Abrazos to all,   Jackie