El Chamán, Tú y Yo: Art Exhibition

The Mexican Cultural Institute is delighted to announce the public opening of El Chamán, Tú y Yo, a captivating art exhibition that showcases over two decades of collaborative works by artists Francisco Loza and Macario Matías Carillo. Artworks largely employ the Wixárika techniques of bead (chaquira) and thread (estambre) weaving to capture the psychodelic properties and cultural themes of the sacred ritual of peyote's pilgrimage, a ceremony of the Wixárika people.

Originally from Mexico and based in Baltimore, Francisco Loza creates his original art by working on wood surfaces he covers in two types of wax that he mixes together and onto which he presses, cuts, shapes brightly colored threads one-by-one into intricate and complex designs. His artwork reflects many themes, including nature, climate, Mexican traditions, immigration, and the abstract.

Loza has 20+ years of experience showing his artwork and leading interactive workshops to share his technique and make connections to culture & traditions at venues in the USA and Mexico. Loza has led many workshops with students of all ages/abilities – at AVAM Museum, Studios in Key West, Rehoboth Art League, and other venues.

Tú, el Chamán y Yo: Yarn Art Workshop

On February 16, Huichol Shaman Macario Matías Carrillo will be leading an interactive workshop for teens and adults of all abilities as part of this exhibiton along with Mexican artist Francisco Loza. Sign up for this immersive, limited-time workshop where participants will have the exclusive opportunity to curate their own estambre (thread-weaving) artwork while gaining captivating cultural and technical insights from one of its leading artisans.

This workshop will be held at 3:00PM and 6:00PM in the Mexican Cultural Institute’s Frida Kahlo Gallery (4th floor). Each workshop will only have 20 slots available, allotted on a first-come-first-serve basis. The workshop attendance fee is $20.00. Due to heavy demand and limited availability, we kindly ask that those unsure of their availability opt out of reserving a slot; bearing in mind our no-refund policy. All proceeds will be allocated towards covering the costs of materials and compensating the shaman. Register here.