Meet the Artisan
Mexico
Juana Gómez
Juana’s story is one of community. She works with the Tzeltal indigenous in Amatenango del Valle, a small town outside San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. In this Pueblo Mágico, well known for its excellent craftsmanship, Juana stands out as one of the most celebrated ceramicists.
She follows in the footsteps of her ancestors; her mother and grandmother sold their ceramic wares by the side of the road in the town where Juana still lives.
She has created a loose collective of artisans who work with her in the community. They dig her clay from the earth around their village and dry it in family homes. The dyes used are all plant-based and local, natural and sustainable.