Taller Xuchialt

Nestled within the indigenous community of Subtiava, a barrio of León, is an artist’s workshop called Taller Xuchialt. Initiated with the support of Project Minnesota, Taller Xuchialt is the working space and refuge for around ten artists, all exceptionally talented and well versed in a number of disciplines, including native dance, guitar, painting, drawing, and the list goes on and on.

The artists, however, do not just use the workshop to pursue their own creations. Rather, they use the space to teach up-and-coming artists the tricks of the trade. In fact, every weekend, members of the taller instruct a total of forty kids. Divided into three sections, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, the members of Taller Xuchialt, some of them studying art themselves at the university level, use their weekends to invigorate the young artistic community. On Saturdays, topics include perspective, shading, and watercolour, among others. On Sunday, classes are devoted to folkloric dance.

The members of Taller Xuchialt understand the concept of building capacity and have, as their ultimate goal, to be self-sufficient within several years. However, they are also aware of the importance of instilling the value of art in the young community and only charge their students ten cordobas (about sixty cents) a month. Every time they sell a painting, a percentage of the sale goes towards the classes they teach. This is a really special group of young adults, who are motivated not only by their own dreams and passions, but by the continued presence of outstanding art in their community, making sacrifices and taking time to ensure its success.