A special invitation...

[charlesandterri]

...to meet Demetrio Bautista Lazo, an internationally known Zapotec weaver and expert in natural dyes from Teotitlan del Valle in Oaxaca...also an opportunity to see, purchase or place custom orders for his beautiful rugs.

Charles and I spent a glorious 10 days studying weaving and dying with Demetrio. We are very pleased that he and his family will be staying with us for four days beginning Saturday.

He is bringing 12-15 rugs which will be on display in our home on Saturday from 12:00 until 4:00 or by appt.

Our home is located at 5030 Panoramica Presa Pipila in La Presa de la Olla.
It is on the Panoramica above the government offices and can be reached either by coming around the Panoramica or by coming up Calle San Juan de Dios from La Presa Blvd, turning left at the intersection with the Panoramica and continuing for several hundred meters more. The house is on the downside and is painted green.

www.teotitlan.com

I have included a copy of Demetrio's resume, a link to his website and (I hope) some photos of some of his rugs

Professional Summary ? Summer 2010

Demetrio Bautista Lazo, Rug Weaver and Natural Dyer
Tejedor de Tepetes y Tintorero de Colorantes Naturales

Personal Information:

Born: 1972, Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico

Address: Av. Juarez , km. 2 Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico CP 70420 Mexican Phone: 951-523-4090 Website: www.teotitlan.com Email demetrio@teotitlan.com

Profile

Demetrio Bautista Lazo is considered by Mexican and international weavers to be one of the best rug weavers of his generation. He began weaving at age 7 at his grandfather?s side. Now in his 30?s, he has held solo exhibits in both Mexico and the US and has been featured in the book, Zapotec Weavers (Museum of New Mexico Press) as well as The Oaxacan Times (an English language publication for Oaxacan visitors). He is known for his natural dye colors and innovative designs based on tradition. His family has woven and sold rugs for three generations. Over 80 people in the family are weavers, with 35 of them supplying rugs designed by and made with wool naturally dyed by Demetrio. Demetrio typically dyes his wool with dyes from 9 types of native or locally grown plants plus cochineal, a small insect that grows only on Prickly Pear Cactus. Through experimentation, he has learned to combine dyes and use a variety of acid and base modifiers to achieve a rich and varied natural palette of over 300 colors.

Inspirations for his designs come from local ruins, but as an artist, he applies his own touch. For example, his tree of life includes colorfully detailed birds, influenced by a day of helping a local tour guide who did not speak English. Other complex designs in the gallery reflect similar inspirations: All are grounded in ancient traditions, but show the soul of an artist reviving the local art of natural dying and weaving.

Teaching Experience Since 2001, Demetrio has been offering on-going natural dying and weaving classes for Mexican or foreign students in fluent English or Spanish at his Gallery, La Capula. English language study groups have come from multiple cities in the US, Canada, and Australia. He has also traveled to the US to teach natural dying US universities at the and at regional textile fairs and fiber shops.

Exhibits

1995 Santa Fe Interiors, Santa Fe, Mexico: solo exhibit

1995 - 2002 Artisans Gallery, Crested Butte, Colorado: annual solo exhibit

2001 - present US Embassy, Mexico City: invited artists for annual fund-raising bazaar to benefit low-income Mexican children

2005 - 2010 ? Flock and Fiber Festival, Canby, Oregon: multiple vendors and exhibitors

* Black Sheep Gathering Eugene, Oregon: multiple vendors and exhibitors

* Maryland Sheep and Wool, Glenwood, Maryland: multiple vendors and exhibitors

* Convergence: American Handweaver?s Guild: multiple vendors and exhibitors

* Fiesta Latino, Springfield, Oregon: invited artist

* Providence, Rhode Island Fine Furnishings Show: multiple vendors and exhibitors, work selected for best of show design display

* Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, California: multiple vendors and exhibitors

* New York Sheep and Wool Festival, multiple vendors and exhibitors

* Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland, Maine: solo exhibit

[mr bill]

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v15pePVjE...r_embedded

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