Indulge Your Senses

Ask someone what they remember from a previous visit to Tumacácori and they are likely to say something like, "There was this lovely lady making tortillas..."

Craft demonstrations are tangible artifacts of Tumacácori's cultural history and their practitioners generously share their knowledge with visitors. There is simply no better way to get to know Tumacácori's story than through the words and art of our demonstrators. 

Details

Activity

Craft Demonstrations

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Donations to support the craft demonstration program are welcome.

Location

Tumacácori Mission Grounds

Reservations

No

Season

Winter, Spring, Fall

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

The tortilla demonstration ramada sits about 6 feet from the paved sidewalk. All other demonstrations are accessible.

A visit to Tumacácori may include a truly sensory experience with one of our historic craft demonstrators. These artisans demonstrate traditional crafts on the grounds of Mission San José de Tumacácori. Demonstrations may include tortilla making, paper flower making, O'odham basket weaving, leather working, or iron working.

Check the Calendar for the complete schedule of what crafts will be occurring on which days. In general:

October through December:
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

January through April:
Thursday - Monday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 520-377-5060 for more information.

Duration:

5 minutes, 10 seconds

The humble flour tortilla is actually a unique invention, brought about by sharing and innovation in missions and other communities of New Spain. It became embedded in Hispanic culture and its traditions continue today. Ranger Georgina Jacquez demonstrates how to create an authentic flour tortilla.

Artists and Craft Demonstrators

• 

  Painting Cultures

  Draven Wilson - O'odham Painter

  Demonstrates on weekends, Fiesta, and the O'odham Tash.

• 

  Pottery With Purpose

  Kathleen Vance - O'odham Potter

  Kathleen considers herself to be a traditional utilitarian potter, but also uses clay to make whistles and effigies.

• 

  Carving Culture

  Homer Marks Jr. - O'odham Carver

  Homer uses cultural elements from O'odham and Hopi traditions to carve and paint his figures.

• 

  Weaving Culture

  Rhonda Ray - O'odham Basket Weaver

  Rhonda learned basket weaving from her grandmother and shares her stories generously with visitors.

• 

  Wood and Paint

  Louis Valenzuela - Yoeme Carver

  Louis Valenzuela has been sharing his culture through his carvings, sculptures, and paintings for over 30 years.

• 

  Weaving Culture (in miniature!)

  Lola Thomas - O'odham Basket Maker

  Lola transforms plants like devil's claw and beargrass into miniature baskets you can wear.

• 

  Weaving Wire

  John Reno - O'odham Jeweler

  John uses modern materials like steel and copper wire to weave and forge jewelry in traditional O'odham styles.

• 

  Florist

  Patricia de la Torre - Paper Flowers

  Patricia uses paper to make flowers in many different shapes and styles.

• 

  From Hide to Hearth

  Norton Johnson - Leather Worker

  Norton practices traditional leather craft, much like the mission residents of the 18th century.

Tortilla Demonstrators

• 

  Tortillera

  Olinda Gonzalez

  Olinda bring her Guatemalan heritage to the park's comal.

• 

  Tortillera

  Carmen Espinosa - Corn & Flour Tortillas

  Carmen demonstrates corn and flour tortilla-making as well as cooking for the Family Sleepover.

• 

  Tortillera

  Sandra García - Flour Tortillas

  Sandra is always smiling! She is also an excellent teacher and will help you learn to make the perfect tortilla yourself.

• 

  Tortillera

  Carolina Arizpe - Tortillas

  Carolina makes corn tortillas and is known for her salsa de "puro chile."

• 

  Tortillera

  Maya Cortina - Flour Tortillas

  Mayra learned how to make tortillas from her mother -- another of our demonstrators. Can you guess who?