Our weavers live in the town of San Juan la Laguna nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan. They are indigenous Maya women who primarily speak Tz'utujil, with Spanish as their second language. They are mothers and grandmothers, with a significant number being single mothers.
They weave using the backstrap loom which is fully portable, enabling them to work from home at their convenience, while caring for their families and daily tasks as they see fit.
The art of backstrap loom weaving is a tradition passed down through generations. Girls are often taught this skill by their mothers, a practice that continues today, although it is increasingly rare for younger women to weave. Specialising in intricate textile weaving, embroidery, and crochet, our talented artisans also experiment with plant dyes, adding a unique touch to each creation.
The weavers constantly face challenges trying to pursue this craft, including the global pandemic, environmental catastrophes in their region, or an unstable political situation. Atitlan Studios was started during the pandemic to help bring a safety net for the women. Whenever tourism returns again, they can contribute as much or as little time to working with us and spend the rest of their time on their own creative pursuits.
