In an arid and rocky part of the central Mexican state of Quéretaro, there’s a small town called Escolásticas.

There about 300 people dedicate their lives to transforming colorful sedimentary stones– known as Cantera–into pieces of art.

Their sculptures freeze time, and provide a livelihood for many families in a region besieged by widespread unemployment and migration.
CGTN takes us to meet the town’s most famous sculptor, who was born in Mexico City and moved to Esoclásticas as an eager teenager, hungry for innovation.

Franc Contreras, writer/director
José Manuel Alvarez, field producer/driver/transcriber
Jaime “Jimmy” Hernández, camera/sound/editor