Angelica Vega Nussgen lives and works in Monterrey, Mexico. She represents a variety of artists from all over Mexico. One indigenous group she represents are the Tzeltal Indians. They call themselves Winik Atel, "working men". This indigenous group lives in the Mexican state of Chiapas and is one of the largest indigenous groups still left in Mexico.

The Mayas are divided into various ethnic groups that speak around 30 dialects of the Maya family of languages. The Tzeltales in Chiapas state, are one of them. They live mostly around the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Farming is their main way of life, mostly growing corn, but also beans, hot peppers, and squash. But making handcrafts is also an important activity, whether for their own use or for sale, like embroidery work in cotton and sisal, a natural fiber that can be made into many things. They also manufacture wood furniture, net bags, and some work in the salt business.

In some places, they still worship some of the pre-Hispanic Mayan gods, like the Cheques or rain gods. Each year they hold a ceremony called Che-Chaac to ensure a good harvest and plentiful rain.

The Mayan community uses its own special dress that distinguishes the men and women from other groups. Their clothes are made of brightly colored, hand-knit fabrics. Sometimes both men and women use elaborate headdresses with their traditional garments. Mayan women that live in warmer climates usually wear loose white or cream dresses called huipiles.. Many communities have very showy clothing for parties and religious celebrations.

Angelica also represents the work of the Raramuris or Tarahumaras Indians. The Tarahumaras call themselves Raramuri. They are an indigenous group of the Aztec family, living in the state of Chihuahua, where the western Sierra Madre becomes rough and uneven. At the arrival of the Spaniards, these people took to the mountains for refuge and have pretty much been able to keep their culture as it was many hundreds of years ago. Thanks to their excellent handcrafting skills, we have access to their woven basket and wood carved objects. They are also skilled weavers. Due to the fragility of their economy some look for work in the wood mills. The sale of their crafts is also an important income, especially for women.

Among the Tarahumaras everything belongs to everybody, private property does not exist, so they share food and housing. They are very well known for their long endurance races.

If you are interested in purchasing some of the work Angelica represents, please all Marianne Carlson at 011522 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com

(Our thanks to Norm Tihor for the use of his photographs)