It seems like it has been FOREVER since brother and sister, Eric and Janet Chavez Santiago, have visited us in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. Eric is taking a vacation — a well-deserved break from his work as director of education at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca. Janet, who has been managing the family rug gallery in Oaxaca for the last year, will be staying on in the U.S. for a while to travel and visit friends. I am so happy they are coming. It is always fun and lively when they are around. We get to practice our Spanish, do a little extra cooking and recreate some of our Oaxaca favorites, and go visiting. Both have created a network of friends and supporters during past visits here. Plus, they have established friendships among people from throughout the U.S. who have visited Oaxaca and met them either at the museum or the gallery. Eric and Janet are like family to us. We claim them as more than friends. I am so proud of their commitment to their Zapotec heritage, the work they do to promote arts and culture and the weaving traditions of their community and family, and bringing the ancient traditions of natural dyeing to the foreground of what makes a quality handwoven rug. More than this, they are extremely good and nice people. I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Maybe when they are here we will be able to organize an open house with a natural dye demonstration. Would you be interested in that.
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Why Travel With Us: Help sustain regenerative traditions.
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- We know the culture! This is our land! We are locally owned and operated.
- Eric Chavez Santiago is tri-lingual --Spanish, English, Zapotec.
- Eric was founding director of education, Museo Textil de Oaxaca + folk art expert
- Norma Schafer has lived in Oaxaca since 2005.
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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. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
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What is a Study Tour: Our programs are learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them, 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.
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Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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