Art for Home and Heart

“To foster awareness of the excellence of Yucatecan artisans, and bring their work to light.”…This was the original goal of Amigos de Artesanos Nuevos de Yucatán (AANY). Their fourth showing is coming up on March 20 and 21, 2010, and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

However, as the quality of the contributors has improved, there has been a shift away from the word “artisan”, as it perhaps implies lower quality or more naive art. Instead, the work is really that of creative, dedicated, professional artists. And the name of the show reflects this change: “Arte a Mano.”

AANY and its artists have come far in one year. Their first three shows, in November 2008, and March and December 2009, have proven the need for their group and an audience that appreciates what they have to offer. There is a better balance between rural and studio artists. The next showing will include 40 to 45 artists in the media of jewelry, accessories, wood furniture and carvings, mobiles of organic material, incised jícara, tapetes, baskets, handmade paper items, ceramic art, lamps and sconses of various materials, and many assorted art objects.

A significant achievement for the group is the support of the Instituto de Cultura de Yucatán. They offered space, distributed flyers, and included the December 2009 show as part of Otoño Cultural 2009.

One of the skills which the artists are improving is that of the art of display and presentation. To be an artist is one thing; to display your art in a manner that encourages sales is another. Last fall, a workshop was held at Habla: El Centro de Lengua y Cultura, which was attended by 12 artists. Craig LaBerge, former Chief of Design Services, National Gallery of Canada, prepared a thorough workshop and delivered it in Spanish. It was masterful, complete and had the artists riveted. There were several work tables set up and artists played with fabric, boxes, etc., to try to apply Craig's principles of elevation, balance, color, texture, and light. The results were excellent, and the artists were exchanging ideas, offering to share resources, and most important, getting to know each other.

The event also nurtured the beginning of a relationship with Habla. Directors Marymar and Kurt were there and fascinated. They talked with many of the artists and, as a result, according to Kurt Wootton, “at this year's Arte a Mano show we will be working with AANY to identify artists who might be interested in sharing their work through workshops and courses offered at Habla this winter and spring.”

AANY has become a movement, really; participating in an AANY show is now considered an achievement and a privilege.

AANY consists of Marieke Baumgardner, Katherine de Barrueta, Joan Farrell, Marianne Kehoe, Tonia Kimsey, Craig LaBerge, Martha Lindley, Harrington Mahoud, Norma Peralta, Ryan Ricci, Anny Schrader, Ken and Erin Scott, and Evonne VonBoeck.

Arte a Mano: Sat. March 20, 10 am - 7 pm, Sun. mar. 21, 10 am - 5 pm. Coparmex, Ave. Hidalgo x Calle 38.