Please introduce yourself and tell us about the journey that led you to found Vuelta Sur?
I'm Paola Castelo—an artist, mother, and advocate for sharing Mexico’s vibrant culture with the world. Originally from Sonora, Mexico, I’ve spent the past 15 years in Canada, with my family now dividing our time between both countries.
Vuelta Sur began as a personal passion: a love for rare books on Mexican history, ancient culture, and evocative images of the Mexico that existed before industrialization and modernization. My fascination led me to create an Instagram page, sharing content from these books as part of my own research. The page resonated instantly, growing overnight into a strong community of people with a deep appreciation for culture.
With time, my interest in the stories of other artists inspired me to share and interview them, even directing short social media films to bring their work to life. These collaborations caught the attention of museums and galleries, evolving Vuelta Sur into a more formal platform. We've since partnered with the largest art fair in Latin America and directed videos for renowned institutions like the Frida Kahlo Museum and Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera’s museum.
Since its inception, Vuelta Sur has also operated as a non-profit, bringing workshops to Indigenous communities throughout Mexico, focusing on art and cultural preservation.
Growing up on a ranch in Sonora, surrounded by your family’s Yaqui heritage, how did those early experiences shape your appreciation for art and culture, and how does that influence your work today?
The bond between my grandfather and me was uniquely profound. He took me to caves to see glyphs that, even today, remain undocumented by anthropologists. He shared with me a few words of Yaqui and possessed an unmatched knowledge of the natural world. We followed many traditions together, observing them faithfully on specific days throughout the year, and every moment was something I cherished. I miss those days deeply, and I believe those early experiences ignited my love for our culture.
In many of my paintings, I work with sand—a reflection of my childhood near the Sea of Cortés and my life now by the Pacific, where I walk along the shore with my wheelbarrow to gather sand for my art. Some of these works resemble glyphs and contain hidden symbols, inspired by early days spent in the desert with my family, surrounded by the vast landscapes and the natural colors that continue to shape me.
What are your non-negotiable morning rituals Before Life Happens? How do these practices help you stay grounded and ready to take on the day, especially in a world that moves so fast?
Each morning, I begin with a 15-20 minute meditation, taking a moment to thank the universe for this life. Then I brush my teeth, always using Before toothpaste—I've been a fan since it first launched. A few times a week, I do a yoga class to wake up my body and feel grounded, and then I start the day with my kids.
Living in Vancouver, far from your roots in Mexico, how do you navigate the balance between these two worlds, and what role does your heritage play in your life in Canada?
I’m incredibly grateful that our family has the opportunity to live between Canada and Mexico. Most of the year, we’re based in Vancouver, but we spend at least three months in Baja California Sur. And at home, I only speak Spanish with our daughters. Friends often laugh about how much I bring Mexico into our daily lives. When I travel back, I return with heirloom corn from the Oaxaca’s mountains, cacao, coffee, and mezcal. We also keep a few Mexican traditions alive, even while in Canada, as it’s so important to me that our daughters grow up immersed in their heritage.
Through Vuelta Sur, you’re building bridges between ancient traditions and contemporary creativity. How do you ensure that the essence of Mexican culture remains authentic while introducing it to a global audience?
Many of the artists we feature use ancient techniques or materials in contemporary ways, which allows us to preserve and celebrate traditional knowledge and artistic methods. While we do share traditional art—something I deeply love—our focus is on evolving these expressions. There’s true magic in the fusion of tradition and innovation, where both realms come together to create something new and captivating.
You’ve partnered with iconic institutions like the Frida Kahlo Museum and Zona Maco. How do collaborations like these help shape the vision of Vuelta Sur, and what do they mean to you personally?
For the Frida Kahlo Museum, my focus was on sharing Frida’s extensive personal library of 2,700 books. Frida was not only an extraordinary artist but also a deeply well-read person. The first video I produced with the museum highlighted some of her books, aiming to reignite a love for reading in others by showing the depth of her intellectual world. Working with Zona Maco, the largest art fair in Latin America, was another great honor. Collaborating with its founder, Zelika García—a pioneer whose vision transformed Mexico City’s art scene—was inspiring. Shaping Vuelta Sur’s vision by partnering with such iconic institutions expands our mission to promote Mexican culture on a much larger scale. I’m immensely grateful for the trust they place in our work, and it’s this kind of support that allows us to grow.
Personally, working alongside these institutions is a privilege. It’s an invaluable learning experience, one that strengthens our commitment to cultural preservation and allows us to embrace innovation in new and meaningful ways.
As someone deeply connected to cultural preservation and innovation, what do you think is the most important role that platforms like Vuelta Sur play in today’s cultural landscape?
I believe the most important role we play as a platform is helping people reconnect with their human side. Culture, to me, is a powerful reminder of who we are and what binds us together. In this era of rapid technological advancement, we often rush forward without pausing to look around—to appreciate nature, to truly connect with others, to be present. Culture brings us back to those moments of connection, and that’s why I’m committed to the work of our organisation, as well as my own work as an artist.
We need these reminders of human connection more than ever, because, if we aren’t mindful, it can slip away faster than we realise.
What’s next for Vuelta Sur? Are there any upcoming projects that you’re particularly excited about?
We recently hosted our first event in Vancouver to raise funds for the construction of a museum in Oaxaca, dedicated to honouring the Mazatec community that has safeguarded psilocybin for millennia. We’re collaborating with Inti Garcia, an art historian who holds an incredibly rich archive on Mazatec culture. Additionally, we’ve partnered with the Fungi Foundation and Paul Stamets to support this cause and help raise the necessary funds.
As for Vuelta Sur, we have some big transitions ahead this year—exciting things are on the horizon, with more details to come!