Freedom of the press in Mexico, Tequila workshop for Casa Hogar Don Bosco, Deaf children: making art in silence, Women in transition; women in business, Huipiles, weaving together pride and tradition

The San Miguel chapter of PEN International presents a special lecture by Leonarda Reyes, The Media in Mexico: The Power and the Risks.

As a long-time investigative journalist, Reyes is founder of the Center for Journalism and Public Ethics (CEPET), a San Miguel-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) that promotes independent journalism and initiatives to combat corruption. Its workshops and training programs throughout the country are sponsored by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, based at the University of Texas in Austin.

Reyes was on her way to a business career when she wrote an autobiography that won a prize in a leading Mexican newspaper, Monterrey’s El Norte. This led to a job that lasted eleven years. Her investigations with El Norte and its affiliated Mexico City newspaper, Reforma, revealed widespread electoral fraud, as well as fraud in public contract. For her investigative and writing prowess, she won a John S. Knight journalism fellowship at Stanford University in 1991. Now she is a member of Public Integrity’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, based in Washington.

Mexico has an exemplary constitution that supports freedom of speech. At the same time—according to the Committee to Protect Journalists and other international human rights associations—Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Among Latin American nations, Mexico is second only to Colombia in number of assassinations of journalists. In 2005 alone, four journalists were murdered and one has disappeared, mostly near the northern border. Roberto Mora García, of El Mañana newspaper in Nuevo Laredo, was murdered in March. Francisco Ortiz, of Zeta newspaper of Tijuana, was shot dead in June, the second murder of a Zeta journalist. Francisco Arratia, of En Linea Directa in Matamoros, was murdered in August. And Raúl Gibb, of La Opinión in Papantla, was killed in April. Alfred Jiménez, of El Imparcial in Hermosillo, hasn’t been seen since April 2, 2005.

Reyes’ lecture presents an overview of the news situation in Mexico (in English), accompanied by visual images. She also discusses the role of her organization and an entire network of courageous organizations that protect reporters and freedom of speech.

San Miguel PEN presents, Freedom of the Press in Mexico, A lecture by Leonarda Reyes, Benefit for CEPET, Tuesday, February 7, 6pm, Bellas Artes auditorium
50 pesos.

Tequila workshop for Casa Hogar Don Bosco
By Maru Riba (Feb, 3 2006)

Why is the traditional tequila drinking cup called El Caballito (Little Horse)? In Aztec mythology, why is Mayahuel—the symbol of earth fertility who had 400 breasts—called The Tequila Goddess? Learn the answers—and many other interesting agave facts—at the Princesa Tequila Tasting Workshop, a fundraising event for Casa Hogar Don Bosco, the girls’ orphanage at Sollano 14.

Casa Hogar Don Bosco is a haven for young and teenage girls in need of a home. These children, most of whom have known great suffering, are tended by four wonderful Dominican nuns who work day and night.

Because it receives no support from the government or the Catholic church, Casa Hogar depends on the San Miguel community to help by donating money or organizing fundraising events. The funds raised are used for clothing, school supplies, food, healthcare and utility bills.

In an effort to raise funds for Casa Hogar, La Princesa, one of the oldest bars in San Miguel, and longtime Casa Hogar benefactor Sally Reid have organized this fun unprecedented event. The Tequila Tasting Workshop teaches you everything you’ve always wanted to know about this traditional Mexican libation. Learn to be a discriminating agave connoisseur as you sample more than 20 commercial brands of tequila in this entertaining workshop. You’ll also get the chance to taste real, fresh agave before it’s processed.

Tickets for the Tequila Tasting Workshop are 300 pesos and are available at La Princesa, Tuesday through Saturday after 6:30pm. For more information, call 152-2419.

Princesa Tequila Tasting Workshop
Benefit for Casa Hogar Don Bosco
Thursday, February 9, 7:30pm
La Cava de la Princesa
Recreo 3
300 pesos

Imagine brightening up a little person’s world with paint and glitter and smiles. Imagine leaving a trail of color and warm memories behind you. Imagine inspiring children to continue creating and exploring artistic worlds.

Now, imagine you can help make all this possible by helping to support my work with a group of deaf children.

My name is Amy. I’m 25 and am visiting San Miguel from the UK. I have a BA in Art History and was awarded the MPhil for my thesis, A Critical Ethnographic Exploration of the Discourses of British Deaf Visual Artists. On February 7, I’ll be leaving your beautiful town and heading to Puebla to spend a week creating with deaf children at a school for the hearing-impaired established by Amanda Holzrichter of the Languages Department of the Universidad de las Américas, Puebla (UDLA).

Previously, I’ve led projects in mural-painting, creative workshops and art classes in the UK, India, Romania and Canada. These projects have been made possible by my travels, far and wide, volunteering my time, and by the kind contributions of materials from generous donors. For the Puebla project, we’re seeking donations of arts and craft materials—not money, but “stuff.” Financial donations can be accepted only with the understanding that materials will be purchased and proof of purchases given to donors.

More specifically, here’s what we need for the kids:

and for inspirational/display purposes.... access to color printing and/or color photocopying facilities. And any other fun materials are welcomed.

Additionally, I’ll be giving a couple of lectures on my research and making presentations to parents of deaf children about the importance of making art. We also plan to assemble an exhibition of the work produced in these classes.

I hope you can see the potential and value of these projects. And I hope you can see how a little bit of paint here can go a long way there. Should you wish to know more about my research with deaf artists, my master’s thesis can be downloaded at my website (click here).

Mujeres en Cambio has two objectives: furthering educational opportunities and fostering economic self-sufficiency for young women from the rural areas surrounding San Miguel.

Furthering education through scholarships is relatively straightforward, but coming up with workable business projects is more challenging.

In 1997, Ted McLaughlin, a Canadian who works in antiques and fine art, heard about the Mujeres en Cambio embroidery project. He suggested to Mujeres en Cambio that moving from embroidery to hooked rugs would be a natural progression both in terms of technique and as a more financially rewarding enterprise. The technique bears strong similarities to embroidery.

Pakina Fernández, who was then head of DIF, advertised on the radio for rural women to learn the technique. Once a week, women from outlying villages—most from Agustín Gonzáles—took classes taught by Gerry Gill, a talented San Miguel artist, while Georgeanne Johnson, a founding member of Mujeres en Cambio, translated. Georgeanne also traveled to the United States to buy machines for cutting used woolens into strips. She also bought used woolen clothing in thrift stores there.

On her annual winter visits, Cuban-born rug-hooking expert Mary Kay Maudsley provided much-needed design guidance. Under her tutelage, the women refined their techniques, turning curiosities to attractive, salable art. We then came to a major business challenge: Now that the women were producing a saleable product, how were they going to sell it?

In 2000, photographer and Mujeres en Cambio member Charlotte Bell offered to help set up a website to promote the project. When she visited the village to take photos of the women and their rugs, the women were so shy that they kept putting their rugs over their faces for the photos! Enchanted by the whimsical folk art designs, a friend along for the trip suggested taking some rugs into San Miguel to show to the visiting owner of a store in Austin, which featured unusual, fine Mexican craftware.

The Texas entrepreneur bought all of the rugs. Imagine how excited Charlotte was returning to the village with money instead of rugs.

When in Austin, Charlotte approached the owners of Las Manitas restaurant, Hispanic sisters who were active in helping other Hispanic women. The sisters began sponsoring shows of the rugs, which still bring in almost US$2,000 each show.

The next challenge was to find a way to market the rugs here in San Miguel. Inherent in building self-sufficiency is that the women begin to take responsibility for the business side of the operation. The first move was to book a table at Instituto Allende Arts & Crafts Fairs. For the first few shows, Charlotte would make the reservation and advance the money for the stall. The women would pay her back when they sold the rugs.

Initially, the group’s leader, Boni Tovar, did all the shows alone. Without her, the group wouldn’t be what it is today. Once a commission system was set up for working in sales of the rugs, other women became involved in sales. Over time, the women have taken complete charge of all show details and have even found new outlets. Charlotte taught them how to keep track of their work and income.

Kathleen Mann saw the rugs at one of the Instituto shows and bought ten to carry in her store, Caracol Collection. The rugs continue to sell well and Kathleen now travels regularly to the village to deal with the women directly.

In 2003, the website prompted a call from Rug Hook magazine. In its January/February 2004 issue, The Rug-Hookers of Agustín Gonzáles were featured in a five-page article with photographs. As a result, rug-hook groups from around the world offered fabric, tools and yarn. One group continues to send a big load of fabric each fall.

In November 2005, a selection of rugs was shown at the Austin Friends of Folk Art. Over US$2,000 worth of rugs was sold in three hours! Boni, who likes to make big rugs, sold US$900. She can now afford to visit the doctor for a health problem that has bothered her for years, something out of her reach before this big sale.

Another woman who was a big seller this year now has money to pay for chemotherapy for her son who has cancer. Clearly this project is going from strength to strength. Initially there were six women involved; now there are upwards of 20. Mujeres en Cambio wants to continue to help the women improve their designs, specifically encouraging them to incorporate indigenous designs into the rugs and adapt the technique to other articles, such as pillows.

How can you help?

Obviously a key to success is marketing. So if anyone has appropriate connections, please contact any member of Mujeres en Cambio with the details.

Having an English-speaking person at the table at the Instituto fairs doubles sales. Anyone who can spare a couple of hours during the shows in February or March would be welcomed with open arms.

Another idea is to go to the village and meet with the women for a private showing. This could be a fun outing when you have visitors. Or spend an enjoyable afternoon at our annual Rustic Rancho luncheon [see event box]. And finally, the women always need woolen fabric and clothing.

Rustic Rancho Lunch & Atotonilco Sanctuary Tour
Benefit for Mujeres en Cambio
Thursday, February 16, 2pm
Fernández Ranch in Atotonilco
Buses depart 1pm
from calle Cardo
opposite St Paul’s church
Advance purchase tickets only
154-6552

The Amusgo weavers from Guerrero and Oaxaca are famous in Mexico for their finely detailed brocade weaves. The Amusgo are a group of about 22,000 people, living on the hot, humid west coast on the border between Oaxaca and Guerrero states.

Roughly 65% of the population speaks only Amusgo; the rest speak both Spanish and Amusgo. Although the dominant religion is Catholicism, there’s a long-held, strong belief in the spirits that control the good and bad in daily life.

Amusgo women are famous not only for their beautifully colored and embroidered huipiles (blouses), but also for spinning the rare brown cotton called coyuche. Unlike the threads of regular cotton, coyuche threads are course and uneven. It’s rare today to see one of these huipiles because it takes so long to process the cotton.

The most famous weaving villages are San Pedro Amusgo, known for a beautiful gauze weave, and Xochistahuaca. The tradition of weaving has been handed down for hundreds of years, and each huipil design holds special meaning—so each is a precious work of art.

It’s rare to see huipiles outside the regions where they’re made. They aren’t sold in galleries or in dress stores. If you’re at a local crafts fair, however, you might stop to admire the work of an elaborately woven huipil. You’d notice the vibrant colors and intricate weave of the cloth. Perhaps you’d wonder if the design was contemporary or traditional. Perhaps the huipil was from Oaxaca or Guerrero. Whom would you ask to help you understand the design of huipiles?

One person who can answer such questions is Odelon Marino Morales, who’s from San Pedro Amusgos in Guerrero.It’s a pleasure to visit with him, as he loves huipiles and their history.

Although his first language is Amusgo—then Spanish, and then English—he gladly explains the value of each huipil, its tradition, and why he feels so strongly about preserving the past and future of his famous weaving village.

One of ten children, and now 27 years old, Odelon was taught by his mother, Noell, and grandmother, Laura. In his village, Odelon weaves the tapestries of his famous ancestors, along with his mother and father. His family comes from the legendary weaving villages of San Pedro Amusgos in Oaxaca, San Pedro Amusgos in Guerrero, and Xochistahuaca, also in Guerrero. The textiles of these areas are found in museum collections worldwide.

Styles have changed as new techniques have developed in both natural dying and weaving. Life style and economy have also played a large part in the changing designs and the availability of different colors, both natural and synthetic. Depending on the complexity of design, huipiles can take anywhere from two to eight months to complete. Pieces can sell for well over 9,000 pesos. For those who admire the tradition and history of the work, that’s more than a fair price. It’s rare to discover an antique huipil for sale. In San Pedro Amusgos, huipiles are buried with the owner.

Today, the huipil is worn with either a slip or cotton pants. Two generations ago, however, the huipil was worn with a skirt with red trim and called anaua. When Odelon’s grandmother Laura—who was from Xochistahuaca—died five months ago, she was buried in her anaua and huipil. Her sister Norbeta continues at age 80 to weave with love and devotion the old designs she has known since her youth. Odelon also continues this tradition, and he can interpret the meanings of the old designs: the serpent, the feathers of the bird, the eye of God.

Take some time at the Instituto Allende’s next Arts & Crafts Fair to say hello to Odelon Marino Morales. Admire the skill, pride and artistry of his work, as well as the many hours involved in the creation of each piece. They’re a part of Amusgos life and joy. And if you’re lucky, you might leave the fair with one of these pieces of art for yourself.

Instituto Allende Arts & Crafts Fair
Saturday & Sunday
February 4 & 5, 10am – 6pm
Ancha de San Antonio 20
Free admission