Ceremonial Dance - photo: Susana Valadez, the Huichol Center
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Artist with Yarn Painting - photo: Susana Valadez, the Huichol Center

by Susan Page

Mexico's spiritual and artistic Huichol (Wixárika)) people live in a remote region of the rugged Sierra Madre Occidental mountains that formed natural barriers to the conquerors and missionaries. Some 20,000 of them still live there and continue to preserve valued artistic traditions through their extraordinary embroidery, yarn paintings, and bead work. They are one of the few remaining Mexican tribes whose ancient customs have survived to a large degree intact into modern times, and there is much we can learn from their belief system and way of life.

Preserving ancient wisdom, yarn paintings and beaded gourd bowls began as votive offerings to the gods, carried by pilgrims to remote sacred sites in the Huichol homeland and other locations in Mexico. Only gradually did the artists realize that they could also make a living by creating works of art to sell. Our mission at Galería Atotonilco is to support these artists, and in doing so help to keep alive the ancient wisdom portrayed in yarn paintings. Our support of Huichol families helps them to preserve indigenous languages and traditional ways of life.

Ceremonial Procession - photo: Susana Valadez, the Huichol Center
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Embroidered Pants - photo: Susana Valadez
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Offerings left at Ocean - photo: Susana Valadez
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Huichol yarn paintings are not only dazzling to behold. They come from a place deep in the soul of the ancient Huichol people. They are inspired by dreams, peyote visions, ancient mythology, and spiritual teachings. They are powerful and compelling works of art.

According to anthropologist Susana Valadez:

According to anthropologist Wade Davis:

Pilgrimage to the Peyote Desert - photo: Susana Valadez
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Ready to Go - photo: Susana Valadez
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Rugged Terrain - photo: Susana Valadez
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Our Relationship to the Earth

Indigenous people are safeguarding ancient wisdom that has come down through the ages. Information about humanity's relationship to the earth is deeply rooted in their cultures, their survival skills, languages, stories, songs and rituals. Their age-old knowledge embodies a mindful approach to safeguarding our planet and provides perspectives for the well-being of all.

Shaman at Sacred Site - photo: Susana Valadez
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Traditional Offering Bowl - photo: Susana Valadez
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Why Support Indigenous Cultures

It is crucial to support indigenous cultures now, because ways of life and entire belief systems will cease to exist if we don't. As the last words of languages such as Otomi or Huichol are spoken, not only do words fade into oblivion, but also the knowledge they carry to guide humanity to new paradigms as caretakers of the earth. Now is the time for the world to appreciate these cultures, to support and celebrate the beauty of their unique legacies, and to ensure that their arts, languages, traditions and earth-care practices continue to be practiced and passed on to future generations.

Women Beaders - photo: Susana Valadez
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Yarn is adhered to wax base - photo: Susana Valadez

Huichol Beaded Mask
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Huichol Yarn Painting with Wolf and Shamanic motifs
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Huichol Yarn Painting with Peyote and Bees motifs
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Huichol Yarn Painting
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Huichol beaded skull
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Peyote Spirits
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Peyote Yarn Painting
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Skulls
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Vision of an Eagle
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Ceremony Visions
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Huichol beaded Skull
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Huichol Yarn Painting with Shamanic Ceremony
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Yarn Painting - Shamanic ceremony
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Yarn painting
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Bull Beaded Skull

Galería Atotonilco, located five miles north of town. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 4 with no appointment necessary. It is widely considered to be the finest collection of folk art for sale in all of Mexico. The collection also includes colonial-era tables and trunks, prints by the famous Oaxacan graphic artist Irving Herrera, contemporary ceramics by the world-famous Gustavo Pérez and more. Don't wait. Plan a day in the country soon. We are surrounded by restaurants, hot springs, and the historic Atotonilco church.

Galería Atotonilco
An Unforgettable Experience of Mexico

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Susan Page is the former Director of Women's Programs at UC Berkeley, where she helped to found the Contraception Clinic at the Student Health Service, and to create one of the first university-based Human Sexuality programs in the U.S. She helped establish the first safe house for battered women in Contra Costa County. A best-selling author, Susan has appeared widely on national television and radio, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. She founded and is president of the San Miguel Writers' Conference and Literary Festival and of Gáleria Atotonilco.

www.susanpage.com

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