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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!
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Meet Makers. Make a Difference
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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.
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Programs can be scheduled to meet your independent travel plans. Send us your available dates.
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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.
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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 *University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
PRESS
- 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
Our Favorites
- Cooking Classes–El Sabor Zapoteco
- Currency Converter
- Fe y Lola Rugs by Chavez Santiago Family
- Friends of Oaxaca Folk Art
- Hoofing It In Oaxaca Hikes
- Living Textiles of Mexico
- Mexican Indigenous Textiles Project
- Museo Textil de Oaxaca
- Oaxaca Lending Library
- Oaxaca Weather
- Taller Teñido a Mano Natural Dyes
Best of Week Day of the Dead Photographs: Debbie Mayfield
Debbie Mayfield is from Santa Cruz, California, and this was her first visit to Oaxaca, Mexico. She had just gotten a new camera and wanted instruction plus a great travel adventure for Day of the Dead. Usually Debbie and her husband Doug travel independently and this was also their first experience being part of a travel workshop group. They loved it.
Here are Debbie’s best of week photos. She says, “I learned not to be afraid to experiment with my camera functions and discovered how wonderful the people from Oaxaca are!” Debbie got off automatic! Hurray.
“I’d recommend this program to others because there is unstructured time to be on your own. The flexible schedule made it possible to be in the moment if events came up,” says Debbie.
Debbie and Doug discovered El Sueño de Elpis multimedia installation just across the street from our hotel. She really captured the shadows beautifully. And this masquer is taking a break from the comparsa along Macedonio Alcala. Debbie says that “I always felt safe and would not hesitate to walk alone.”
Pedro Montaño (second from top left) and his wife Carina Santiago (third from top left), who own Restaurant Tierra Antigua in Teotitlan del Valle, hosted Debbie and Doug for lunch. They joined Pedro’s brother Fidel and with Marisela with their parents at El Descanso Restaurant operated by Fidel and Mari. Pedro explained the meaning of Muertos in the village and took Debbie and Doug to the cemetery after comida. We embed all our photography participants in a family for Day of the Dead to give them the most authentic, culturally sensitive immersion experience. And, as a gift, we also take a family portrait to share.
Building sand sculptures on the Plaza de la Danza is not without humor and endurance. It takes at least three days to construct and decorate these amazing works of art. Pray for no rain.
Self expression through wall art during Dia de los Muertos is ubiquitous around the city, from Jalatlaco to Xoxocotlan. This is NOT graffiti.
Being in the middle of an amazing parade, the spending the day with Carina and Pedro, and visiting the Chavez Santiago Family Weavers were most memorable events for Debbie. She says, “Thanks, Norma for a truly great Oaxaca experience!” Thanks to you, Debbie, for being with us and sharing your love of photography and enthusiasm for adventure. Great pics!
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