Presentation
Remigio Mestas
Natural Dyes for Textiles
Fri, Nov 27, 10am
El Charco del Ingenio
100 pesos, members 70 pesos

The intricacies of textiles

Our guest speaker this month has been involved with weaving since the age of seven. A native of Yalalag, Villa Hidalgo, in the state of Oaxaca, Remigio Mestas emigrated to the capital of Oaxaca with his family when he was four years old.

His mother wove on a backstrap loom and used a sewing machine, while his father made shirts and muslin trousers. In 1978 he opened a high quality textile shop while attending junior high school, and beginning to create woodcarvings and, in 1996, Mestas earned a degree in accounting.

But his passion remained weaving, and Mestas sought out only the most beautiful, unique textiles to sell in his shop, and began to build a clientele interested in purchasing exquisite handcrafted pieces made with only the finest materials, including those made with natural dyes. He began to dye yarn and provide them to weavers, and in this way a new era for Oaxaca textiles began.

Mestas is a master who enjoys teaching customers about the qualities and intricacies of each textile. In 2006, Mestas opened a shop in San Miguel on Recreo called Juana Cata. Textiles from the store have been featured in books, magazines and TV documentaries internationally, and are treasured acquisitions of museums and collectors from around the world.

In this presentation, Mestas will show us and talk about the plants and animals used in making natural dyes for Mexican textiles and the meaning of the motifs in the designs. Two weavers from Buena Vista Tepantepec will also be there and demonstrate the ancient technique of backstrap weaving. The talk will be in Spanish with simultaneous translation.

Please reserve a space at nzerriffi@yahoo.com.  Members of El Charco pay 70 pesos, non-members 100 pesos.