Mexico Team

Known to many as “Tonio,” Antonio is an industrial designer and cultural liaison who has called Oaxaca home since 2011. An expert in international logistics and social impact, his background ranges from coordinating projects for the Dutch Red Cross to facilitating community workshops at the Piña Palmera Care Center. Having lived in the U.S. and Italy and studied across Asia and Europe, Tonio is a master of cross-cultural communication.

Since 2015, Tonio has served as a vital bridge in Oaxaca, connecting international researchers and artists with local artisans to foster ethical collaborations. He has spent years exploring the remote corners of the Oaxacan territory and is deeply dedicated to sharing the region's unique natural beauty, customs, and "living history" with every Arcos participant.

Paulina is a distinguished scholar of Mexican art and culture who has called Oaxaca home since 1992. With over 27 years of experience as a professor, she has taught Mexican Art History, Cinema, and Literature at institutions ranging from Benito Juárez University to Williams College in Massachusetts. A true expert in her field, Paulina even co-authored the Spanish language textbooks Mosaico I & II.

Her professional roots are grounded in Mexico City’s elite art world, including roles at the Modern Art Museum (MAM) and the Rufino Tamayo Museum. As a bilingual lecturer and cultural guide, Paulina draws upon her immense knowledge of urban art and museums to transform the galleries and streets of Oaxaca into a living classroom. She is passionate about mentoring international students and looks forward to sharing the deep intellectual and artistic traditions of Mexico with every participant.

A native of Mexico City with a soul for adventure, Pamela has spent her life at the intersection of art, nature, and mindfulness. After a transformative period studying in Florence, Italy, she returned to Mexico to earn her degree in Fine Arts. Pamela is a true entrepreneur and creative, having co-founded Amankay Murales, a professional mural design company, and Isaki, a retreat project focused on yoga, meditation, and art therapy.

Pamela brings a high level of emotional intelligence to the Arcos team, holding a Master’s Degree in Gestalt Therapy and years of experience providing art therapy for children with disabilities. Since moving to Oaxaca in 2021, she has specialized in leading educational and nature-based expeditions, helping students connect with the physical beauty and spiritual depth of the region. Whether she is leading a walk through the Oaxacan wilderness or a cultural workshop, Pamela’s goal is to help every student find an inquisitive and free approach to their own journey.

Originally from Venice, Italy, Eva is a global citizen who has called Oaxaca home since 2003. Her path to Mexico was paved by a lifetime of international immersion, including a year as an exchange student in the U.S. and extensive university studies in Spain. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Culture from Sussex University (UK), Eva has dedicated her career to forest conservation, indigenous rights, and sustainable tourism.

Eva brings a unique "field-research" depth to the Arcos team. She has spent years working with local NGOs in Oaxaca, exploring remote indigenous villages and using participatory video to help communities document their own stories. Her deep expertise in natural resource management and her passion for Oaxaca’s extraordinary traditions make her an invaluable guide for students. Eva is thrilled to help participants navigate their own transformative journeys and discover the "magic" that led her to make Mexico her permanent home.

A native of Oaxaca City, Marina is a multifaceted artist and cultural curator whose work is a deep reflection of the harmony between nature and humanity. A "pilgrim of life," Marina spent a decade traveling from Vancouver Island to Southern Brazil, building an extensive photographic archive and immersing herself in the study of permaculture, organic agriculture, and traditional medicine. Her photography has been published internationally in Mexico and Brazil, documenting her work with social and ecological organizations across the continent.

Marina’s journey eventually led her back to her roots, where she reclaimed the ancestral teachings of her grandparents to serve as the foundation for her cultural mentorship. Today, she combines her passion for traditional health and quantum therapy with her role at Arcos, helping young people explore new horizons through purposeful travel. Marina is a tireless advocate for the beauty of Oaxacan life and looks forward to guiding students toward a deeper, more artistic understanding of her home culture.

A native of Oaxaca, Nahú’s identity is deeply rooted in the traditional arts. As a former member of the prestigious Guelaguetza dance festival, he traveled the world—from Japan to Brazil—representing the seventeen distinct cultures of his home state. These experiences sparked a lifelong devotion to cultural richness and a master’s level understanding of Oaxaca’s diverse customs, languages, and culinary traditions.

Nahú holds a degree in Communication Sciences from Universidad Iberoamericana and is a specialist in community radio and sound production. His professional portfolio is as diverse as the state itself; he has worked in sound production for legendary artists like Lila Downs and serves as a communications advisor for indigenous radio stations. A dedicated educator and researcher, Nahú has spent over five years mentoring university students in social service and community projects, helping them develop critical thinking and a deeper connection to the world. Whether he is discussing climate change adaptation or the musical environment of the eight regions of Oaxaca, Nahú is an expert guide to the "mysteries" of this vibrant state.