The traditional amate art they create together not only helps provide them with the income they need for their family of six to be financially independent, but it also helps create jobs for other families in their community.
Maribel and Jorge live in an area of extreme poverty where safe sustainable jobs with fair wages, especially for women, are scarce.
Their Amate paper art designs are a mesmerizing blend of natural textures and patterns inspired by Mexico’s ancient Aztec heritage.
Once used as a primary form of communication, record keeping, and religious ceremonies in many villages in Mexico, amate art is traditionally handcrafted using paper pulp made from sustainable and eco-friendly tree bark.
Each piece of amate paper often takes one Artisan several days to complete.
One recent customer and art enthusiast recently described the couple’s success in carrying on their families’ Artisan traditions, “they’ve been dominating their craft.”
While Maribel and Jorge have excelled in their craft, they have a greater mission at the heart of their business. Each piece of amate art involves twelve Artisans to complete the entire process from start to finish.
Every purchase of their amate art impacts three families in their community with vital income to secure food, clothing, and shelter, as their local economy continues to prove unpredictable and undependable due to recent declines in travel and tourism.
Their art is an expression of their ancient culture, their personal talents, and their love for the people in their community.
“We enjoy the full process, but we love seeing a new design come to life. We still find it a miracle that we can dream something up and make it with our hands.
It’s a blessing God gave us this gift!” – Maribel & Jorge
“We enjoy the full process, but we love seeing a new design come to life. We still find it a miracle that we can dream something up and make it with our hands.
It’s a blessing God gave us this gift!” – Maribel & Jorge
Art That Changes Lives
“Your orders have been a huge help this last year because we hadn’t had hardly any work since tourism has stopped completely in this part of Mexico.” – Maribel & Jorge
La plaza means “square”.
Maribel and Jorge’s La Plaza Amate Art features a traditional square design.
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To the amazing Amate Artisans, you are truly artisans of the highest degree, such work, detail and color. Thank you