Zapotec Weaver from Mexico Comes to Portsmouth Sunday

PORTSMOUTH, NH - Margaritas Mexican Restaurant at 775 Lafayette Road in Portsmouth will play host to visiting artist Porfirio Gutierrez, a Zapotec weaver from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, according to a press statement. The event is free and open to the public.

The Zapotec weavings are made of handspun yarns that are dyed with local plants, minerals and insects. His family is proud to be descended from many generations of Zapotec weavers. From an early age, Porfirio and his siblings helped with simple tasks like cleaning wool, gathering dye plants, or winding bobbins. By the time Porfirio was 12 years old, his prodigious talent for design and weaving prompted his parents to enroll him in painting and drawing classes with local masters.

Porfirio has continued to grow as an artist. His work has begun to be noticed by collectors and galleries. Many of his pieces have been included in prestigious shows and events such as the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, NM and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Indian. In addition to being an artist and master weaver, Porfirio is also an educator and cultural ambassador for the Zapotec people, often lecturing at universities, arts foundations and museums.

The presentation in Portsmouth is one of several scheduled during the next seven weeks throughout New England. As part of Margaritas Education Outreach Program, the artist visits not only the restaurants to demonstrate his craft to the public, but also is scheduled to visit several local schools to share Mexican culture, traditions and trade secrets with students and faculty. Margaritas created the program in 1999 to bring artists, carvers, weavers and sculptors to the northeast every year to share their talents with students and Margaritas diners. The series provides a glimpse into the colorful culture and tradition of techniques that date back centuries.

“The visiting artists from Mexico provide Margaritas with a unique opportunity to offer the community an extraordinary experience,” said founder John Pelletier. “We love giving our guests a chance to dine and watch as award-winning folk artists demonstrate their craft.”

The Margaritas Education Outreach Program was developed to integrate Margaritas’ unique cultural events with local community organizations such as schools and cultural institutions. In addition to the yearly artist visits, Margaritas also works closely with local schools to host student field trips to their restaurants. The presentation is a hands-on, interactive experience for students that reinforces Margaritas’ commitment to multicultural experiences in the local community. These field trips include a video of contemporary Mexican life and craft building and a tour of a living gallery filled with hand-crafted furnishings and folk art. Students are engaged through multisensory interactions with presenters who provide historical information and cooks who prepare authentic Mexican foods.

Submitted by Cassidy Obis