Handpicked Artisan Goods
Shop Oaxaca Culture offers outstanding pieces of artisan-created textiles and folk art that we have personally selected. We´re committed to supporting artisans directly so they continue the traditions they have learned from their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Most work in small family businesses or cooperatives, often cultivating the raw materials themselves and using natural dyes. What they create is nothing less than astounding and beautiful. We hope you agree.
New pieces are adder regularly. Come back often!
Norma Schafer
Since 2006, I have offered arts education travel workshops and study tours in Oaxaca, Mexico. This was before I retired from a 30-year university marketing, communications, development and continuing education career. Yes, I raised $23 million and won national awards for degree, certificate and non-credit programs I developed.
In 2012, I expanded Oaxaca Cultural Navigator programs to include Mexico City, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan and Chiapas. There is more to come. About 64% of our program participants return. Many choose to repeat the same program! Our satisfaction ratings on Trip Advisor are outstanding.
My program ideas are based on my curiosity and love for Mexico, and indigenous people everywhere. I usually accompany study tours, and engage anthropologists and/or regional experts to complement the experience.
I also work with organizations to develop conferences, study abroad experiences, and programs for alumni, donors and friends, and members that can be a significant friend-raising and fundraising opportunity. I also make presentations about the textile culture of Oaxaca and Mexico. You are welcome to contact me to explore what is possible.
Eric Chávez Santiago
Is Norma’s godson who she met in 2005 selling rugs as a college student in the Teotitlan del Valle village market. In late 2022, Norma invited Eric to join her as a partner in Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC to transition the business to the next generation. Eric is a weaver and natural dye expert. He learned to weave at the age of eight from his father, master weaver Federico Chavez Sosa. While in college, he developed over one hundred cochineal dye recipes that he still uses today.
A Oaxaca native, Eric was born and raised in Teotitlan del Valle, and speaks Zapotec, Spanish and English. He was the founding director of education at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca. and held that position from 2008 to 2016. In 2017, Alfredo Harp Helu and Isabel Granen Porrua asked him to open, manage and promote indigenous craft through their folk art gallery Andares del Arte Popular. He resigned in September 2022 to grow the family enterprise, Taller Teñido a Mano, and to join Norma as a partner in Oaxaca Cultural Navigator. Eric is a graduate of Anahuac University and has made textile presentations throughout the world. He is knowledgeable about all forms of Mexican textiles and folk art.
