What does Mexican Folk Art mean to you?

Black pottery mona by Magdalena Pedro

When Marianne Carlson, founder of the Feria Maestros del Arte, was asked that question about what Mexican folk art meant to her, she responded with … 

“We’ve frozen your bank account!”

What?! Apparently those were the first words she heard on the morning she sat trying to write her monthly column for the newsletter. As the day unfolded, it got worse and worse.

Marianne explains how that question took her to a different place. “As I continued to bemoan my financial state of affairs, I swiveled around in my computer chair looking at the walls and shelves in my house. Without even realizing it, my thoughts turned from “what am I going to do?” to the happy memory of when I purchased my barro negro mona  (black pottery doll) from Magdalena Pedro in Oaxaca.

“Not only had I fallen in love with this doll, it launched a magazine column and a cover on the Lake Chapala Review Magazine in 2008.

“On a day when I really needed something to be happy about, I was reminded with just a glance, that each object I have purchased over many years has a wonderful story behind it. I have been fortunate enough to meet and spend time with each artist whose hands have molded, woven or formed the beautiful artwork that now resides in my home."

Celebrating:

March 19th
is Artisan Day in Mexico 

(Día de Artesano)

Here's the idea ...

Artisans spend hours, weeks, often months creating their works of art. At Feria Maestros del Arte, you have the opportunity to meet the maestros in person, learn more about them, their work, and the pieces you’re buying from them.

Every day should be Artisan Day as their work constantly adds beauty and charm to our lives. However, those artisans never get to see what their work looks like in your home … or when you wear it . . . or even know how important it has become to you.

Since there’s only one official day … March 19th … The Feria wants to honor the maestros and the incredible work they do, and we’d like to invite you to join us in this celebration … so here’s the idea …

1. Take a picture of a piece of Mexican Folk Art that you treasure. Show or explain what it looks like in your home … or better yet, take a selfie with the piece of folk art you are honoring.
2. On March 19th, post your comments and photo/s to your Facebook page AND to the Feria Maestros del Arte Facebook page. If you know the artisan’s name, please include that in your thank you message.
3. Tell them, briefly, what the piece means to you.

 Please join in the fun and honor your favorite maestro, 

piece of art, or just a comment in general. 


Example:

"Nahuatl Bújo" by Zeny and Reyna Fuentes was my first piece of 

Mexican  folk art and I think it brings me wisdom every day ...

or tries.

-- Joyce Wycoff

Notes:

• If you don’t know the name of the artist and you bought the piece at the Feria, you can find it on the Feria website … just look under the category (i.e. baskets, alebrijes, ceramics, textiles, etc.)
• If all you have is a photo, that’s okay, too. Please post it.
• If all you want to do is thank a maestro, just post your thanks.
• You can post more than one picture and thank more than one artisan.
• If you’ve had your eye on a piece of work, but haven’t been able to buy it yet, post the picture, and tell the artisan what their work means to  you.
• What you post is entirely up to you, but we will try to make sure that if you note a particular artisan, they are aware of whatever you post. 


 Here are a few links that tell you more about Día de Artesano —

https://www.mexicoescultura.com/actividad/168037/en/day-of-the-artisan.html
https://planeta.com/artisan-day-oaxaca/