Arte a Mano Show

April 2 - 3 will mark the sixth “ARTE A MANO” show sponsored by AANY, A.C. (Amigos de Artistas/Artesanos Nuevos de Yucatán). AANY, a legal Mexican non-profit, is dedicated to the advancement of fine craft work in the Yucatán Península. Represented in all shows are rural as well as studio artists. The purpose of the shows is to introduce fine craft work to the public and also to expand the marketplace for participating artists, who have sales volume almost unknown to them but also make many contacts for future sales and representation in stores and galleries.

In April there will be approximately 50 participants, among them 10 exciting new artists. All sales go directly to the artists, who are charged a small fee for table rental. Housing is provided for those who need it, and at the Friday set-up the AANY committee provides a welcome with food and beverages.

ARTE A MANO has become a major community event. Attendance has grown from 450 at the first show to roughly 2,000 at the November 2010 show. The AANY Board works year-round, but the success of the shows could not be achieved without the volunteer help of both the foreign and Yucatecan community.

Thanks to the Merida Men´s Club, who volunteer for every event, placement of 85 tables and tablecloths and 200 chairs goes very efficiently - the tear-down on Sunday at closing is accomplished in about an hour!

Over 25 volunteers from the community help with set-up and tear-down, staff the AANY welcome table, and offer assistance to artists during the show. Many of the artists help with arranging housing, printing badges, distribution of publicity, and sales of the ARTE A MANO T-shirts.

ARTE A MANO will be located at CANACO (the Chamber of Commerce) on Avenida Itzaes at Calle 31, 3 blocks south of Clínica de Mérida. There is no entry charge and there is free parking on Calle 31. Hours are: Saturday, April 2, 10 AM-7 PM, and Sunday, April 3, 10 AM-6 PM. •••