What Are the Arts and Crafts That People Make in Puerto Rico
"Ventorillo" past Edwin Báez Carrasquillo
Since the mid-1950s, the work of Puerto Rico's folk + traditional artists (whose population is estimated to be shut to twenty,000) has been a central feature of the island'south active local, regional, and national fairs and festivals. Woodcarvers, mask makers, leatherworkers, musical instrument makers and other tradition bearers to the isle's history, culture, and economy are so important that the month of July is designated every bit the Month of the Artisan. Jenifer Simon, Managing director of Programs + Outreach spoke to Dr. Carmen Ruiz Fischler, Director and Master Curator for the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos, Dra. Josefina Camacho de la Nuez, Universidad del Turabo to acquire more about the ways artisans show and sell their piece of work and the changes they confront later the devastating affect of Hurricane Maria and other challenges.
How did the Calendar month of the Artisan come nearly?
Many of the festivals in Puerto Rico commemorate historical events and figures also every bit traditions that were seen on the brink of disappearing, and offered the artisan a marketplace to present and sell their piece of work.
Walter Murray Chiesa, a Puerto Rican traditional arts specialist, advocate and 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellow was behind the proclamation of the Month of the Artisan granted by the "Compañía de Fomento Artesanal" government bureau in 1977.
Saint carver Lenice Vasquez
Tin you describe the artisans who participate in these fairs and festivals?
Soon, young and established artisans participate in the fairs. Equally the oldest artisans laissez passer away, we worry that many of the crafts and techniques of the by may be disappearing. Also, the emigration to the mainland because of Hurricane Maria and the destruction of many workshops may accelerate this. According to Zulma Santiago, Cultural Consultant and organizer of artisan fairs at Plazas Las Americas-San Juan and Plaza del Caribe-Ponce, some of the crafts in danger of extinction are hat-making, basketry, toys, model ships, needlework, bobbin lace, blown glass, miniature firm facades, carved birds and tin flowers.
What are the challenges and opportunities that artisans face in Puerto Rico?
Since 2006, Puerto Rico has been in a hard economic state of affairs. Fewer people have discretionary funds to buy craft and folk art. In 2009, Bacardi Corp. discontinued its 33-twelvemonth history of sponsoring the Christmas Artisans Fair which attracted 200,000 visitors. However, other arts and crafts fairs and shows have been established by the Establish of Puerto Rican Civilisation (ICP) and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, (PRIDCO). Plaza Las Americas-San Juan and Plaza del Caribe-Ponce organize artisans' fairs throughout the year which are sponsored past Empresas Fonalledas, the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean area. This island is 100 miles by 35 miles which allows the artisans mobility to sell locally and island-broad every bit well. What touch on did Hurricanes Irma and Maria have on artisans? Many artists lost their homes, workshops, family income. Some areas were without electricity for ten months. While our museum in Turabo, the Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos (MCEH), had to cancel 2 thirds of its activities in the months following the disasters, in February, the MCEH organized its traditional "Panorama Artesanal" effectually the theme "The bear on of hurricanes Irma and Maria on Puerto Rican Artisans."
Paper mache artist Olga Costa
In April, the MCEH invited Cornelia Carey and Brenna Quigley from CERF+ to give a presentation to artisans from the east key region about CERF+'s emergency relief assistance programs for rebuilding their workshops. We understand that some of them eventually did apply for grants from CERF+ and the word spread around the island about CERF+'due south assist. The "Compañía de Fomento Artesanal" celebrated the Month of the Artisan in the city of Ponce. The number of participants was somewhat reduced compared to previous years due to the furnishings of Hurricane María.
What tin others exercise to help artisans in Puerto Rico?
Others can assistance by providing financial assistance to artists to rebuild workshops and buy tools. Once these artists are back in production marketing their products outside Puerto Rico I encourage others to purchase their work online and for craft show producers to invite them to artisans' fairs on the mainland and then their works go to be known!
Recommended Fairs to Visit in Puerto Rico:
• Paseo Cultural Ricardo Alegría in Plaza Las Americas in San Juan, Puerto Rico is a fantabulous identify to run into the works of local artisans and artists, such equally paintings, sculptures, saints and mosaics
• Museo de las Americas, Beneficencia St Erstwhile San Juan, PR, Traditional crafts
• Puerto Rico Craft , 204 Fortaleza St Old San Juan, PR Traditional crafts
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo , Ponce de León Ave San Juan, PR Gimmicky arts and crafts design
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico Ave De Diego San Juan, PR, Contemporary Craft Designs
The Artisanal Incentives Program, helps artists in Puerto Rico acquire machinery, tools, materials and any other need related to the operation of their workshops. FOMENTO contributes to the development of the economy of Puerto Rico, encouraging self-employment.
Source: https://cerfplus.org/celebrating-and-preserving-the-islands-craft-traditions-puerto-ricos-month-of-the-artisan/
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