Mexican Folk Art - It's unique, colorful, prized by collectors, and rich with culture and tradition

The Mexican state of Oaxaca (pronounced woh-HAH-ka) is the homeland for some of the most talented craftsmen in Mexico. Here at Viva Oaxaca, you'll find examples of their best work. If you are looking for colorful, handmade art, or you are a collector, or searching for a one-of-a-kind gift, take a few minutes to explore my on-line sales gallery.

You will find dozens of Oaxacan wood carvings, the wooden animal sculptures prized by collectors and admirers of Mexican crafts. They are hand-carved, hand-painted, and signed by the artists. I have dozens of glittering, punched tin heart and Christmas ornaments from Oaxacan tinsmiths, too.

You will also find trees of life candelabras and other pottery by the renowned Castillo family from Izucar de Matamoros in Puebla state. Looking for Day of the Dead art? You will find four pages of muertos carvings and ceramic figurines. Plus, there's a page of Coconut Masks from the Nahua Indians in Guerrero. My shipping rates, which I keep as low as possible, are based on the total amount of your order. You will see the charges on the check-out page where you enter your credit card or PayPal information.

Many Oaxacan craftspeople depend on tourist sales to support their families. I have been traveling to Oaxaca to buy folk art and interact with the artists for ten years now. The artwork featured on this web site comes directly from the gifted, hard-working craftsmen who make it. Here, from a new book about Alebrijes, is a list of the most acclaimed Oaxacan carvers. You can find sculptures by many of these artists here at Viva Oaxaca.

Oaxaca's Peaceful Atmosphere

Oaxaca city is located about six hours (drive time) southeast of Mexico City. It sits on the vast, mile-high plateau of the Oaxaca Valley, surrounded by the majestic Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. It's a Spanish colonial city of cobblestone streets and marvelous 16th-century stone buildings and plazas.

First-time visitors are captivated by the shaded zocalo, the mountain vistas, the intoxicating aroma of the chocolate grinder shops, the lively street music and the friendly, warmhearted residents. Since it is at a high altitude, the city is blessed by a year-round, brilliant sun and crisp, mountain air. It's forever springtime in Oaxaca.

Oaxacan Culture

Oaxaca is known for its indigenous peoples, descendants of the Mixtec and Zapotec Indians. They live in villages with names like Zaachila, Tlacolula and Teotitlan del Valle. These remote towns dot the valleys and mountain-sides near Oaxaca City, and are nestled in the lowlands that border the lush Pacific Coast. Today, Oaxaca state has the largest percentage of indigenous Indians in the Western Hemisphere. They speak 52 dialects of eight distinct languages; if they speak Spanish, too, it is a second language to them. The famous archeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla are reminders of the splendid legacies of the past. The richness of Oaxaca's cultural life today -- its handcrafts, folklore, the Guelaguetza dance festival, the radish festival, day of the dead celebrations, food and markets -- reflects the enduring influence of the ancient peoples.

Look around the web site for examples of their fine workmanship. Be sure to check out my travel photo gallery for pictures of the artists and the setting. Send me your questions and comments, or log onto my Facebook page and post them there.

Phil Saviano Owner, Viva Oaxaca Folk Art Photographer, Web Designer Send E-mail: Contact Viva Oaxaca

Contact Mailing Address: Viva Oaxaca Folk Art 109 Ardale Street Boston, MA 02131 Order By Phone: 617-983-5075