Talleres Comunitarios

Talleres Comunitarios is an ongoing partnership with the Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle. Teotitlán Del Valle is a renowned Zapotec weaving community located in the central valley of Oaxaca, about 45 minutes from Oaxaca City. While Teotitlán was recognized as a community with a rich heritage of natural dyeing techniques, unfortunately this artistic tradition has begun to disappear in recent times, and today fewer than ten families in the community practice natural dye techniques. Not only is the abandonment of traditional natural dye practices an unfortunate loss of cultural heritage, but, additionally, the replacement with synthetic chemical dyes has caused negative environmental and health sequelae for the community.

The Cosa Buena Foundation underwrites workshops for children from the community taught by local maestros (teachers) and community leaders who are dedicated to preserving their artistic traditions. The workshops are also staffed by volunteer instructors, both local and visiting. These workshops have included instruction in native plants, natural dyeing, weaving with agave fiber, and making natural pigment watercolors. We are very grateful to partner with the Centro Cultural Comunitario in Teotitlán Del Valle in this endeavor.