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Juan Mendoza - Guatemala - Meet the Fair Trade Instrument Maker

Juan Mendoza, 37 years old, is a Maya Tzutujil, who was born and lives in Santiago Atitlan, Solola on the south side of Lake Atitlan. Juan is married and has 3 sons.  The Maya Tzutujil ethnic group number around 80,000 and live in six municipalities scattered on the southern flank of Lake Atitlan.

Juan started working with the weaving arts when he was 15 years old making wristbands and stoles. A few years later he started creating folk art, learning how to carve bamboo drums and wooden animals. He also started painting using the primitivism art style, and depicting everyday scenes within the Tzutujil community on canvas. He now has 8 years experience making a variety of folk art, fine art and musical instruments including bamboo drums, maracas, wooden boxes, paintings and wood carvings. He comments that the fair trade orders he receives help to pay school fees for his kids and also to pay the rent for his shop in Panajachel.

Juan’s dream is to continue improving his painting skills and open an art gallery, while increasing his sales and improving the quality of his products.

Support Juan by buying his products in our fair trade store.