By Tracy Gaudreau

I was quite nervous meeting Federico Jimenez for several reasons. Embarrassingly, I didn't know anything about him, I didn't have any time to prepare what I wanted to say and I was early, which means by Mexican standards I was very early. I had such a relief when he arrived wearing jeans and bright white running shoes. He greeted me warmly and we sat down on a white bench in the beautiful courtyard of his new museum housed in a 17th century building.

Museo Belber Jimenez had its grand opening May 31st and was open free to the public for the month of June. It's located on the corner of Tinoco y Palacios and Matamores. You can not miss the massive letters that spell out "Federico" across the front. I came to this museum to find out about the man behind the name.

Born in 1941 in the village of Tututepec on the Oaxacan coast, he is a Mixtec Indian that came from a family of six brothers and one sister. Unfortunately, being Mixtec meant he grew up in poverty. This is a problem that plagues indigenous groups of Mexico and Latin America. Most will never overcome this obstacle but Federico's family found opportunity through education.

They moved to Oaxaca City for a better life and were helped by the local people. He later received a degree in Anthropology (the same as his wife Ellen Belber). For over 40 years he lived in the United Stated where he became a jeweler designer. He is known worldwide and his designs can be spotted on American celebrities.

Over 40 years ago, out of pure interest and love he started collecting pieces of jewelry, textiles and folk art. His collection began from pre-Colombian objects found in his village and some pieces that were passed down through many generations in his family. These include a marvelous gold necklace that was his grandmother's.
Federico became familiar with important artists in "the last movement of modernism," in terms of silver. One in particular, William Spratling, known as "the father of contemporary Mexican silver," and many others are represented in the museum by their impressive designs.

The piece that will draw the most attention is a necklace given to Frida Kahlo by Diego Rivera in 1937. She wore this necklace that says "Amor" on the pendant often and was on her when she died.

The museum is only one part of several projects the Jimenez family is undertaking. Another is an ecosystem project on the coast, an initiative to raise and protect alligators, turtles, lizards and other species which are in danger of extinction. They will also be providing scholarship programs and through the museum are looking to teach people about the history of the Indian culture. The museum is funded by the Jimenez family, donations from organizations and individuals as well as ticket sales. Commencing July 1st, there will be a 25 peso entry fee. The museum shop will open in September. Federico states he does not want to compete with the folk art from the local people so his shop will offer unusual and universal items.

Federico is proud to be a Mixtec Indian and thankful for all the help his family received to overcome poverty. He offers Museo Belber Jimenez to the people of Oaxaca. It’s a unique museum that will soon be a featured item in guide books as "what not to miss in Oaxaca."