Gabriel Woltke

Gabriel entered the seminary to become a priest. He left to study literature and later chose a career in journalism. He is advancing on the river. He wants to be a writer, an editor, a carpenter, a programmer, a designer. A monk, a magician. A tree. A bird. A whale.

Artisan StoriesJune 26, 2019<June 26, 2019

He wanted nothing to do with his grandfather’s workshop. Now he dedicates his life to preserving it.

The historic workshop was the largest in its time and had been a school for almost all the silver artisans in Antigua. It was…

Artisan StoriesJanuary 16, 2019<January 16, 2019

The mathemetician weaver: Eladio Chiroy makes art from math

Eladio Chiroy speaks about threads with the same expertise as he talks about solving equations with three unknowns. His personal story moves back and…

Featured, Happiness Projects, Region NewsJanuary 1, 2019<January 1, 2019

The Essential Ingredients for A Spirited Christmas Fiesta

How one NOVICA Happiness Project in Guatemala shines a light on love this Christmas season Stars, ornaments, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus: the foundation…

Artisan StoriesOctober 26, 2018<October 26, 2018

Through her worry dolls, Doña Mary still smiles

Children run here and there. With her soft voice, Aura Lopez tries to stop them or explain that they need to give us a…

Featured, Region NewsOctober 22, 2018<October 22, 2018

Guatemalan Day of the Dead: Giant Kites and A dish with 50 ingredients

Each year, during the Day of the Dead, the skies above the small village of Santiago are filled with giant kites called barriletes. Although Guatemala…

Víctor Hugo López, siempre listo para superar la adversidad en su trabajo

Artisan StoriesSeptember 28, 2018<September 28, 2018

Víctor Hugo López: Neither the earthquake nor the wars could stop me

The problem is that I just can’t be still. I’m like the lathe that cannot stop spinning to give shape to the wood. I’ve…

Artisan StoriesSeptember 27, 2018<September 27, 2018

Jose Arriola: the art of crafting angels in the midst of war

His house is well-lighted because it is built around a small interior garden. His living room is adorned with his diplomas and photos of…

Artisan Stories, FeaturedSeptember 1, 2018<September 1, 2018

From the orphanage to the art studio, this Guatemalan jewelry-maker keeps one big childhood dream alive

She never knew her parents, but Zandra Sajbin grew up in an enormous family—even if it wasn’t her biological one. With 240 “brothers and…

Artisan StoriesJune 30, 2018<June 30, 2018

The Conejo Brothers Find Inspiration For Their Woodcrafts in the Costa Rica Soccer Team

Although they know it will be difficult to repeat the triumphs Costa Rica achieved in the 2014 World Cup, Rigoberto and Carlos Conejo won’t…

First Person Accounts of the Guatemala Volcano from Novica Artisans

Featured, Region NewsJune 12, 2018<June 12, 2018

First Person Accounts of the Guatemala Volcano from Novica Artisans

“We were at home when we began to hear the sound of rain on our roof. But when we ventured outdoors and held out…