Mazatec Art and Psychedelic Heritage in Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, Mexico

Casa Adobe is a dynamic gallery space and collective of Mazatec artists in Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, Mexico. Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Mazateca, Huautla is renowned for its rich Indigenous Mazatec culture, spiritual traditions, mountainous landscapes, and cloud forest vegetation. The town also holds a pivotal place in the global understanding of psilocybin mushrooms and their healing properties through the legacy of Mazatec healer María Sabina whose sacred mushroom ceremonies gained worldwide recognition in the mid-twentieth century. In this session, Elías García Méndez will discuss community-driven efforts to unite Indigenous artists, initiatives to engage local youth in artistic expression and mural creation, and the deep connections among cultural traditions, history, nature, spirituality, and psychedelic experiences in shaping artistic practices. Join us for an insightful conversation on the intersection of Indigenous art, cultural preservation, and the transformative power of creativity in the Sierra Mazateca.