Colors of Chipas

We are doing it again...but this time we are going to have our workshop in San Cristobal Chiapas.  Here are the details:

Colors of Chiapas              February 10^th – 17^th 2017

Join Las Tres Amigas: Syd McCutcheon, Mary Stanley and Colleen Darling for a textile workshop in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, designated by the Mexican government as a Pueblo Magico. We are celebrating our 5^th year of workshops in Mexico so lots of exciting adventures await us.

The rich textile traditions of the Maya are unique to this part of Mexico.  Mayan beliefs combined with parts of Catholicism are different in each village.  We will explore San Juan Chamula on market day, along with neighboring Zinacantan, a village known for its flower growing and colorful floral designs on the native textiles. The markets, bursting with fruits and vegetables, are where we will experience firsthand the vibrancy of colors and clothing that makes this region a visual delight. San Cristobal is home to the beautiful new textile museum Centro Textiles Mundo Maya with exquisite examples of textiles from the whole Mayan world.  In the same restored convent complex is Sna Jolobil, a cooperative of artists with the finest textiles available in the area. We will explore the large craft market next to the Santo Domingo church, a large maze of fabulous arts and crafts.

Syd McCutcheon and Mary Stanley will lead the workshop working with wool and cotton fabrics to create whimsical floral and animal designs using applique and embroidery techniques with our inspiration coming from Mayan and Otomi examples.  These can be made into wall hangings, purses, jewelry, pin cushions, pillows and more…

We will spend 7 nights and 8 days exploring the lush highlands of Chiapas, a state rich in Mayan culture and history.   Workshop time will be combined with day trips to nearby villages and artist’s studios.  The city is completely walking friendly with several pedestrian walking streets and lots of shops and galleries to visit.  The local indigenous continue to wear the native dress of their village and they are all different so you are able to tell where people are from.

The food is delicious, with regional specialties including tamales and fresh cheese.  The local alcoholic beverage is Pox, a white lightening drink consumed both in ceremonies and everyday life.  It is becoming a popular boutique beverage too just as Mezcal has made its way to the US.  There are many European ex-pats in San Cristobal and they have brought with them their culinary expertise.  Many choices of cuisines are available in the restaurants, including two French bakeries, and an abundance of organic coffee is grown in Chiapas too.

To get more info contact Colleen Darling at     colleen950@gmail.com