14 Facts About Marta Turok

Marta Turok is a Mexican applied anthropologist focusing on socio-economic development, and one of the foremost schools on Mexican folk art.

Marta Turok's work has been recognized with awards from various governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Marta Turok was born in 1952, with another brother, Antonio, coming after.

Marta Turok decided to go to the United States to do her undergraduate degree, attended Tufts University, where her father had studied chemistry.

Marta Turok chose to do a comprehensive senior thesis, traveling to Chiapas to research handcrafts there.

Marta Turok graduated in 1974, with a degree in anthropology and socioeconomics.

Marta Turok began her career working for a number of government agencies and teaching classes on traditional Mexican textile design.

Marta Turok has worked with the National Indigenous Institute, and the Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanias, where as subdirector of social programs, created the policy guideline to distinguish handcrafts with artistic and cultural value.

Marta Turok established the Mexican Sport Confederation as a national entity, with supports the preservation of pre Hispanic sports and games.

Marta Turok developed a project to preserve weaving and sewing traditions in numerous indigenous communities, providing fabric, embroidery thread and sewing needles.

Marta Turok founded the Asociacion Mexicana de Arte y Cultura Popular or Mexican Association of Popular Art and Culture in 1989, which focuses on developing contemporary products using traditional techniques.

Marta Turok remained president of the association from its founding until 2012.

Marta Turok is still active academically; giving conferences on topics related to Mexican handcrafts and folk art and has taught seminars and courses.

Marta Turok has published numerous articles, especially for the publication Artes de Mexico such as an essay on Metepec for Ceramic Trees of Life.