José Castillo Carpio & Elizabeth Rodríguez Ramos: Masks,
Threads, and the Spirit of Tócuaro

Walk the narrow streets of Tócuaro, and you’ll hear the hum of carving knives against wood, the soft pull of thread through fabric, and the voices of artisans who carry generations of creativity in their hands. This small Purépecha village, nestled near the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, is famous for its vibrant mask-making tradition but inside one particular home, a husband and wife team give that tradition new life every day.

José Castillo Carpio is a respected mask maker, known throughout the region for his powerful, hand-carved wooden masks that merge technical skill with spiritual depth. He works primarily in copal wood, which he shapes using simple tools, guided by an intuitive understanding of form, proportion, and myth. His masks—whether depicting devils, jaguars, dancers, or Nahua deities— are as expressive as they are symbolic. Bold, vibrant, and often fearsome, they play a central role in local festivals like the Danza de los Viejitos and Carnaval, where they are worn by dancers embodying ancestral spirits and social satire.
Carving since boyhood, José was trained by master artisans in Tócuaro and has developed his own distinctive style, one that respects tradition while allowing for personal flourishes in detail and emotion. He has exhibited his work in state fairs and cultural expos across Mexico and is often invited to speak about the cultural significance of masks in Purépecha identity.

Beside him in the creative rhythm of their household is his wife, Elizabeth Rodríguez Ramos, an artist of another kind. She specializes in hand embroidery, creating detailed, delicate designs on traditional garments, napkins, and decorative cloth. Her embroidery often features botanical motifs, birds, and regional symbols, each stitch a quiet act of preservation and pride. With a fine needle and an eye for color, Elizabeth tells stories of the land, the seasons, and the strength of Purépecha women.

Together, José and Elizabeth represent a fusion of expressive forms—his, bold and sculptural; hers, intricate and tactile. Their home is filled with movement: wood shavings curling off a mask-in-progress, threads stretched across a hoop, children learning by watching. They are not just artisans—they are cultural stewards, grounding their work in family, memory, and community.

Their collaborative spirit extends beyond their home. They’ve participated in artisan festivals throughout Michoacán, have hosted workshops for youth, and continue to advocate for the importance of handmade art in sustaining the cultural economy of Tócuaro.
“Una máscara te transforma,” José says. “Pero también te conecta.”
“A mask transforms you—but it also connects you.”

In the hands of José Castillo Carpio and Elizabeth Rodríguez Ramos, wood and thread become more than materials. They become a language of celebration, resistance, and cultural continuity—a living expression of what it means to be Purépecha in the heart of Michoacán.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2025

AWARDS

·      Elizabeth: 2nd place embroidery

ARTIST INFORMATION

José Castillo Carapio and wife Elizabeth Rodriguez Ramos.

Calle Libertad, Calle 16 de
septiembre, pueblo Tocuaro,

Erongaricuaro, Michoacan 

cel 434 137 8286