Porfirio Gutierrez
Porfirio Gutierrez
5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Porfirio Gutierrez is a California-based Zapotec textile artist and natural dyer, born and raised in the richly historic Zapotec textile community of Teotitlán del Valle in Oaxaca, Mexico. He grew up immersed in color and surrounded by the wildness of Oaxaca's mountains, and by the knowledge of plants for healing and for color. His life’s work has been revitalizing and preserving traditional Zapotec natural dye techniques with a focus on reinterpreting traditional textiles and materials to reflect his distinct creative vision. Working in both Ventura, California, and Oaxaca, Gutíerrez welcomes your visit to both studios Ventura CA or Oaxaca Mexico.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
8 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
14 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Robert C
New York City, NY169 contributions
Dec 2017
We met Porfirio at the International Folk Art Festival in Santa Fe, and learned about the distinctive artisanal weaving of his family and soon planned our first visit to Oaxaca. This was the high point of our first visit to the area and we look forward to a return trip. If you are expecting the usual package tour routine followed by the gift shop gauntlet, this is not what you will get. You do not have to worry about whether manufactured products with chemical dyes are intermixed with genuine work. This is the real deal, exclusively, and a rare and special opportunity to meet a family that is preserving a craft of historic and cultural significance.
Written December 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara I
3 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
This is a place not to miss! Porfirio Gutierrez and his family are so knowledgeable and carry this beautiful ancestral tradition with so much well deserved pride. We learned a lot from them and enjoyed our visit with his family. We will be back soon!
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sassy_sally
Kansas City, MO16 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Porfirio Gutierrez & Family are one of only a dozen families in the village still producing gorgeous textiles using *only* natural dyes from plants & insects to produce beautiful vivid colors. Plan to spend a few hours visiting the studio, learning about their process, and perusing the finished works. They also do commissions, so if you see a design you like but want it in a different size or colorway, just ask! The entire family is genuine and welcoming, truly a special experience to spend time with them. A friend and I spent All Saints Day (Nov 1) with Porfirio's family to participate in preparations and local traditions for Day of the Dead. Definitely check the website for workshops and/or other programs they might be offering during your visit.
There are also 2 guest rooms (a couple of double beds in each) on site if you're interested in an extended stay to explore the village more in depth. There was a fabulous article in The New York Times, Sept 18, 2017 entitled "In Mexico, Weavers Embrace Natural Alternatives to Toxic Dyes" that is definitely worth googling/reading ahead of time for more info about Porfirio, the process and the local area. Enjoy!
There are also 2 guest rooms (a couple of double beds in each) on site if you're interested in an extended stay to explore the village more in depth. There was a fabulous article in The New York Times, Sept 18, 2017 entitled "In Mexico, Weavers Embrace Natural Alternatives to Toxic Dyes" that is definitely worth googling/reading ahead of time for more info about Porfirio, the process and the local area. Enjoy!
Written November 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander615138
Malibu, CA2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
It has been 42 years since my return to Oaxaca. My hope was that the town, villages
and culture had retained all their magic, pride in history and culture.
Fortunately, we had been recommended to Porfirio Gutierrez and his family to
renew that relationship. I told him what our interests were and he suggested a full
vibrant itinerary that made our week in Oaxaca truly outstanding.
We met master artists, participated in weaving and cooking classes, visited to
some wonderful markets and most of all integrated ourselves into the culture and met
the true people of city and villages.
Many thanks to Claudio Gutierrez for his expert knowledge and guiding us to all
the wonderful locations as well as his commentary and wisdom and pride of his
families heritage and that of his village.
We will be going back,...
Richard and Maureen Kronman
Malibu CA
and culture had retained all their magic, pride in history and culture.
Fortunately, we had been recommended to Porfirio Gutierrez and his family to
renew that relationship. I told him what our interests were and he suggested a full
vibrant itinerary that made our week in Oaxaca truly outstanding.
We met master artists, participated in weaving and cooking classes, visited to
some wonderful markets and most of all integrated ourselves into the culture and met
the true people of city and villages.
Many thanks to Claudio Gutierrez for his expert knowledge and guiding us to all
the wonderful locations as well as his commentary and wisdom and pride of his
families heritage and that of his village.
We will be going back,...
Richard and Maureen Kronman
Malibu CA
Written September 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat P
Manchester, NH6 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
My wife and I visited the Gutierrez Family Workshop in Teotitlan del Valle on our last two trips to Oaxaca. Well worth the time to travel to this tiny village outside of Oaxaca City. Porfirio and Juana are masters of natural dyes and weaving as taught to them by their parents. You will feel like family when they invite you to see their workshop, Other family members were busy weaving and attending to other chores while we were there. I highly recommend a visit to this village especially to visit the Gutierrez Family. Villagers were friendly and assisted our taxi driver to find their home.
Written April 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna G
6 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
It is hard to describe the full richness of our visit with Porfirio Gutierrez and his family. We were welcomed with open arms and shared a wonderful cultural exchange. We not only learned about the the traditional dying and weaving techniques we were able to see the raw materials used to produce the colors. Porfirio shared stories of his families heritage and was open to any question. This was one of the most extraordinary travel experiences I've ever had. Truly authentic in every way. Please visit Porfirio and his family. You will not be disappointed. Your heart will be full and you will be ready to plan your return visit.
Written February 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liane R
Green Valley, AZ22 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Beautiful dye colors....beautiful intricate work. Did not come home empty handed...love my purchase.
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DMGAmes_Iowa
Ames, IA566 contributions
Oct 2019
Our small group tour of Oaxaca had arranged to visit the extended family compound, studio, workshop, and sales room of Porfirio Gutierrez, a nationally and internationally known proponent of the production and use of natural dyes. Porfirio, a most engaging young man, demonstrated the colors obtained from indigo, cochineal, tarragon, and other natural sources; and also the modification into different hues by the use of lime juice, powdered lime, overdying, and mordants. Our group was welcomed with cups of locally-made mescal, and served a wonderful lunch in the family's dining room, replete with a large altar and ofrendas for Day of the Dead. As a (not inexpensive) memento, we purchased a beautiful modern weaving to grace our living room at home.
Written November 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skelt440
Sahuarita, AZ391 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Take a short 35 minute picturesque ride out of Oaxaca City and see how the ancients dyed their wools using only plants, insects and minerals. We were welcomed and made to feel at home by Porfirio and family at their lovely studio where we found some magnificent weavings. There will be others in the village who claim to use natural dyes but, in reality, very few actually do. Here you can see Juana crushing the indigo and cochineal using nothing more than her hands and volcanic stones.
Better yet, do as we did, and have Porfirio and his family arrange an intimate tour for you to see some of the finest artisans in the area. Claudio Gutierrez guided us through several different villages where we met artisans such as wood carvers, weavers, fine artists, candle makers and potters. This was a most memorable stay and I highly recommend it.
Better yet, do as we did, and have Porfirio and his family arrange an intimate tour for you to see some of the finest artisans in the area. Claudio Gutierrez guided us through several different villages where we met artisans such as wood carvers, weavers, fine artists, candle makers and potters. This was a most memorable stay and I highly recommend it.
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoladeTiburon
Seattle, WA279 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
To best understand the long tradition of weaving and dyeing using natural materials, there is no better place than the studio of Porfirio Gutierrez and his family. They are committed to furthering their artform and also to educating people about the importance of using natural materials. The Gutierrez family respects their culture, history and natural environment and believes in the value of promoting a better understanding of weaving in their community. Their work is exceptional and appreciated by people from all over the world.
Written August 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingScroll back to Porfirio Gutierrez information