By Carolina de la Cajiga
At fifteen, an improbable turn changed the course of Paige’s life—she moved from Toronto, Canada, to Puerto Varas, in southern Chile, almost directly across northern and southern latitudes, on a one-year exchange program. Though she did not know the language or anyone there, Paige felt instantly at home. She was conversing in Spanish within three months and fluent in six. “I became a sponge, not only absorbing the new language but also a distinct way of seeing the world,” says Paige.
Years later, she left her chosen city, Paris, to move to México for love. Once again, she underwent a radical transformation. “I experienced the generosity, kindness, and humility of the Mexican people, inherited from the wisdom of their indigenous ancestors.” They continue to inspire her through an invisible interconnectedness, much like the mycelium network. “This move was transformative, and I started thinking less about myself and more about those around me.”
Paige recalls, “I was happily living in Guanajuato, the capital city, for seven years, earning my living as a freelance translator, until I felt a hunger for more than just chasing a paycheck. In search of something meaningful to fill my soul, I came to San Miguel de Allende in 2012, thinking I’d take a short break to plan my next steps. But as it’s well known, this town exerts a magical pull on people—and I’m still here.” It wasn’t just the town’s unique charm that captivated her. Paige crossed paths with a weaving instructor at the old Bellas Artes school, now Centro Cultural El Nigromante, who invited her to attend a class. “It took me a while to get there, but eventually, I showed up, and immediately, I felt I belonged there. And pretty soon, I discovered I had a latent talent for weaving.” With enthusiasm, Paige states, “By a certain age, we think we know ourselves, but if we never venture into the unknown, we remain oblivious to our potential. And that can be tragic. The two most pivotal things in my life were not part of my plan: México and weaving. I’m so glad I stepped out and took the leap.”
Paige Mitchell’s formal education is extensive. She started at the University of Toronto for her undergraduate studies and then went on to study in France, where she ultimately acquired a Postgraduate degree in translation. She obtained practical weaving training on frame and floor looms with Maestra Patricia Robles at El Nigromante, apprenticed with Maestro Agapito Jiménez at Instituto Allende, and studied back-strap loom weaving under Nereo Pérez Francisco, a Nahua weaver from the town of Zapotitlán de Méndez, on the outskirts of Puebla.
“My lifestyle choices have given me independence and the chance to pursue what I cherish most: meditation, yoga, creative projects, and personal development. I plan to take a back-strap loom weaving workshop in Chiapas, study cooking and loom weaving in Oaxaca, and visit the Mayan ruins in Yucatán. Weaving teaches me discipline, patience, and how to be present in the moment,” says Paige with a grin.
Paige Mitchell’s work as a translator has evolved from occasional freelancing to collaborating regularly with cultural institutions, museums, festivals, and magazines in Mexico City. Artes de México, the esteemed cultural magazine that explores the country’s artistic and indigenous heritage, has been her primary client for the past ten years—a partnership that has also become a source of learning and inspiration. Paige was the translator for the Miguel Malo Zozaya archaeological exhibition, at the end of 2022 and also translated Cañada de la Virgen: A Refuge of the Forefathers, a book about this local archaeological site, where much of the Malo collection originated. “Fortuitously and inadvertently, my life has become immersed in Mexican culture—both through my work as a translator and as an artisan.Though we’re going through a rough patch as a society, I’m optimistic. I believe people are fed up with the illusions we’ve been sold and are hungry for something more meaningful and fulfilling. We just need to seize the opportunity—and take the leap.”
In April, Paige will have a small collection of textiles on display at La Cabra Iluminada, at Hidalgo 13, in San Miguel. She also offers traditional Mexican weaving workshops at El Nigromante and works a couple days a week at Juan Ezcurdia’s workshop at Fábrica La Aurora. You can contact Paige Mitchell at:
Instagram:
@paigemitchell_traductora
@paigemitchell_tejedora
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