Citlali Mendoza

Citlali grew up in a vibrant Zapotec household in Oaxaca before her family moved to California when she was twelve. Every Sunday, her grandmother taught her the ancient art of huipil embroidery while cooking traditional mole, passing down stories with each stitch and stir. These rituals became Citlali's anchor between two worlds—her indigenous heritage and her American present. She studied textile arts in college, determined to keep her culture alive through her hands.

Now she teaches embroidery and weaving workshops at a community arts center, working with kids and adults who want to connect with traditional crafts. Her small apartment doubles as a studio, filled with colorful threads, half-finished tapestries, and dried chiles hanging in the kitchen. She sells her pieces at local markets and online, each one carrying a piece of Zapotec symbolism and her own creative vision.

Citlali is warm and grounded, with a quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly who she is. She finds joy in slow, intentional work—the meditative rhythm of weaving, the careful selection of colors, the stories she stitches into fabric. She's proud of her roots and loves sharing them, whether through teaching, cooking massive pots of mole for friends, or simply wearing her handmade huipiles with quiet pride.