by Barbara Erickson

Born to weave, now 25 years old, Jacobito Mendoza was recently named a Joven Desticado (Youth of Distinction). He has taken his place alongside other masters of Mexican Folk Art in the latest edition of Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano ~ 20 Años. This second edition of the Fomento Cultural Citibanamex's original 1996 compilation of Mexican grand masters of folk art now includes 600 artists, including the original 150. Jacobito's uncle Arnulfo is represented in those pages. Jacobito's piece is now also included in the permanent collection in the Iturbide Palace Museum in Mexico City.

The Mendoza family have been weaving exquisite Zapotec textiles since before the conquistadors brought the loom and the sheep to the valleys of Oaxaca. Their fine cotton textiles were paid in tribute to the Aztec ruler Moctezuma. Jacobito's talent is no doubt part epigenetic, however, since he started learning the art of the cloth at the age of six, there is something to be said for those 10,000 hours of practice.

Pat and Diana Ellsworth of San Miguel recall purchasing an early piece of Jacobito's work "We're honored to have been his first clients, he was only 10, and have enjoyed having his rug in our home for many years-right up until today.

Growing up in a home with a family dedicated to the art of the textile, Jacobito loves what he and his family do. He says "since I was six I have had the desire to create master works in weaving. I went to school and graduated with a law degree from the University of Oaxaca but my love is the loom, the intensity of the colors and the concentration of realizing the design and I am dedicating my time for fine pieces."

Some of the magic of the Mendoza family's work is their expertise in natural dying. Red from the cochineal insect, historically part of the Zapotec weaving repertoire, blue from the Indigo plant, deep warm brown from zapote negro, a clear bright yellow from a weed discovered in their back yard, combine to provide the extensive color palette they employ in their pieces. Their formulas are family secrets, some passed down through generations and others new recipes they have perfected using the slow dye process and new plant resources. Jacobo senior teaches this process to others at the Folk Art Museum in Oaxaca, he is always eager to share his extensive knowledge with others who love natural dye. (Maybe not his secret secrets though.)

Like his father, Jacobito revels in using super fine yarns. Silk, which requires special care in the dye process, cashmere, marino and alpaca wool are all part of the Mendoza repertoire. Using yarn at 24 threads to the inch, and his family's brilliant color palette, it is no wonder that Jacobito has won so many awards.

Top awards include the inclusion of Jacobito in the latest Foundation Citibanamex book Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano ~ 20 Años and the purchase of his work for the Foundation's Palacio Iturbide Museum. The 2020 nomination for the Brandford Elliott award at the Textile Society of America. (Only three young people who use the finest fibers in textiles are nominated.) The 2022 third place prize at the Popular Art Contest organized by Friends of Oaxaca Folk Art (FOFA) in New York and this year, 2023, Jacobito has been invited to participate in a Federal Secretary of Tourism project called "PUNTO MÉXICO" to make visitors aware of the great culture, gastronomy and art that prevails in and strengthens the state of Oaxaca.

Next year, you will be able to find Jacobito in San Francisco, in a collaboration with artist Arleene Correa Valencia at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts or at the Catherine Clark Gallery. If you don't want to wait, or to visit Oaxaca, you can meet Jacobito and his Master Weaver father Jacobo Mendoza here in San Miguel:

Located at Huitxilopstli #11, Colonia Azteca
Go up Homobono, go left on Huitzilopochtli then turn left into the first alley, the entrance is at the end of the alley.

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