The Galeria Tanana is a non-profit gallery that supports the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts located in Huejuquilla el Alto, Jalisco, México.

To insure that ancient Huichol shamanic wisdom and tribal arts are passed on to future generations we:

•  Help impoverished artists enhance their art and market their skills to create economic self-sufficiency.
•  Support tribal shamans and archive their methaphysical and botanical knowledge.
•  Teach Huichol students computer literacy to document and share their knowledge with the global community.
•  Promote organic gardening, permaculture, nutrition and health education to prolong longevity of the tribe.

Galeria Tanana, named after the Huichol Goddess of life, specializes in unique Huichol Art and fashion designer jewelry.

This art gallery was created by anthropologist/jewelry designer Susana Valadez to raise funds for her non-profit project.

All proceeds from the sales in this store directly supports the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts.

One of the few remaining Mexican tribes that have survived intact into modern times, the Huichol people (also called Wixarika) are from Nayarit and Jalisco. Their now-endangered, precolumbian culture, is deeply rooted in shamanism, folk medicine and archaic native traditions. Within the shaman's dreams, visions and chants is knowledge that like and old growth forest of the mind, has roots in humanity's past and much needed wisdom for our future.

Huichol Art dates back millenia. During spiritual rituals Shaman have visions which are then transcribed into carvings, yarn art, and have evolved into t-shirts, boxed note cards, framed art and downloadable animations. Each image has spiritual meaning.

Huichol art is personal and captivating, with intricate designs, vibrant colors and sacred symbols. It is an expression of deeply held spiritual beliefs.

In the Huichol culture, art and religion are inextricable. The shaman links the community with the spirit world, from where their creativity pours forth as a gift from their deified ancient ancestors (The First People) - to be given back as offerings to the gods.

The First People, once dwelled in the Wirikuta desert and were driven out into the Sierra Madre Occidental to live a mortal agrarian existence. The pilgrims, led by a mara'akame (shaman) to cleanse the way, travel 600 miles round trip to re-enter the sacred land.

During the trip, they perform a series of rituals and ceremonies to transform themselves into deities. At different locations, they adopt more and more of their divine identities and assume the feelings and attitudes attributed to the First People.

If the ceremonial thoughts and actions are properly performed, the peyote will be found and "slain" with a bow and arrow. A slice of peyote will be given to each of the peyoteros who will then have their own personal visions. They will talk to God, receive instructions and will, thereafter, sing, cure, or create.

This moment of sharing the peyote is the fulfillment of the highest goals in Huichol religious life. They have traveled to paradise, transformed themselves into deities and communed with the gods, and then return as mortals.

From the ecstasy of that experience the artwork of the people is born.

You can help support the Huichol Center by visiting Galeria Tanana and purchasing some of the beautiful treasures displayed, including...

•  Museum quality Huichol Art: yarn paintings, beaded sculptures
•  High Fashion award winning beaded jewelry
•  Huichol books, symbolism cards, ornaments, magnets
•  Huichol woven and embroidered bags
•  Huichol t-shirts
•  Sayulita and Day of the Dead cards, ornaments and magnets
•  Earring stands
•  San Miguel designs aprons and bags by Patrice Wynne
•  México, Nayarit and Jalisco maps

All proceeds from the sales in this store directly supports the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts.

Galeria Tanana is located at Revolucion 22 in Sayulita, Nayarit, near Puerto Vallarta and next to the bridge, in front of YoYo Mo's. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9:30 am until 8:30 pm, Sundays from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.