Louis David Valenzuela, Woodcarver & Mask Maker. Tucson, AZ |  2018

Louis David Valenzuela is one of the last traditional Yoeme cottonwood mask makers in Southern Arizona. From trees that have died, he harvests cottonwood and receives messages from it to guide his creations. He learned the form from traditional Pascola maskmakers from New and Old Pascua in Tucson. His masks represent significant cultural animals, such as Monkey, Goat, and Rooster. He also creates masks for the sacred Deer Dance, performed annually during the Pascua Yaqui lent ceremony. Valenzuela has taught and exhibited his work throughout the state. He will teach the form to his nephew, high school student Jeremy Alvarez.

Valenzuela began practicing his traditional art forms in 1974, such as carving and sculpting, which tell his culture. He learned his art form from traditional Pascola mask makers from New and Old Pascua in Tucson, Arizona.

His masks represent significant cultural animals, such as monkeys, goats, and roosters. He also creates masks for the Sacred Pascola Dances, which are performed annually during the Pascua Yaqui Lent ceremony.

Valenzuela continues to mentor younger generations to continue the tradition, gives workshops, and teaches summer programs, as well as adult programs. He also enjoys teaching non-natives about his culture because it represents real native culture, rather than what is being shown in the media today. Currently, he is working with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe as an Elder Instructor for culture and art.

Valenzuela has taught and exhibited his work throughout Arizona. He is a 2018 recipient of the Southwest Folklife Alliance Master-Apprentice Award. Recently, Valenzuela was invited and attended the 2023 Smithsonian Museum Folklife Festival!

Check out this inspirational conversation with Louis David Valenzuela, The Wood is Like Magic, at  Borderlore.