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Norma Writes for Selvedge Magazine Issues #89 + #109
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Creating Connection and Meaning between travelers and with indigenous artisans. Meet makers where they live and work. Join small groups of like-minded explorers. Go deep into remote villages. Gain insights. Support cultural heritage and sustainable traditions ie. hand weaving and natural dyeing. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
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What is a Study Tour: Our programs are designed as learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them in their designs, the ancient history of patterning and design, use of color, tradition and innovation, values and cultural continuity, and the social context within which they work. First and foremost, we are educators. Norma worked in top US universities for over 35 years and Eric founded the education department at Oaxaca’s textile museum. We create connection and help artisans reach people who value them and their work.
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Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
We Contribute Two Chapters!
Meet Makers. Make a Difference
Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university, textile and artisan development experience. See About Us.Programs can be scheduled to meet your independent travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Designers, retailers, wholesalers, curators, universities and others come to us to develop artisan relationships, customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Select Clients *Abeja Boutique, Houston *Selvedge Magazine-London, UK *Esprit Travel and Tours *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University *MINNA-Goods *Smockingbird Kids *MINNA *University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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- WEAVE Podcast: Oaxaca Coast Textiles & Tour
- NY Times, Weavers Embrace Natural Dye Alternatives
- NY Times, Open Thread–Style News
- NY Times, 36-Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico
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Category Poem: Teotitlan del Valle
Delight of winter warmth,
carved stones from an ancient culture
supporting the Dominican Catholic church,
rusty red coiled bedspring fence,
hot pink bougainvilleas framing arched entries,
braying donkeys — a wake-up call, cobblestones under foot,
the sentinel mount Picacho, looms, dye pots,
cauldrons of fresh hot chocolate, pollo con mole,
Samburguesa’s tacos, Anita’s nieves,
daily market hubbub, abuelas adorned in aprons
and braids, guacalotes gurgling and clucking,
a basketball court at the end of Avenida Juarez ,
hanks of freshly dyed yarn
drying on a wood fence, children in uniform
off to school, coffee at the Sacred Bean, a farmer
leading his bull to pasture, bedspring fence,
faded black mourning ribbon above the doorway,
green quinciniera bouquet, health message graffiti,
un poquito mezcal in teeny green cups, urns of
lilies on the home altar, maize growing in the church
courtyard, aged fife player leading the
marching band, whirling July dancers with feathered
plumes, beeswax candles made by hand,
cat curled in the window box, gnarled hands forming
tamales, songs at Sunday mass, grecas carved
in 2,000 year old stone, hard work, family
celebrations, vintage bus to Benito Juarez painted verdant
mountain adornment, waiting for tourists, life goes on.
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