Why Jesus Urbano Is Not Afraid to Die
byThis Peruvian retablo artist has found a way to ensure that the traditional craft he loves so much continues to inspire the world, and…
Artisan Stories
Solace in the simple things after a life of loss
byHis mother was killed in the crossfire of Guatemala’s civil war. He was sexually abused at the age of 11 years old. But this…
There’s one thing this Peruvian artist won’t compromise. It’s the very thing she didn’t get when she was growing up.
byForced to drop out of school when she was just a child, this traditional arpillería artisan has made her son’s schooling her highest priority….
How One Sculptor’s Vigilance Keeps his Wife Alive
byMorneo creates alebrijes—magical creatures filled with color and expression. But his greatest work extends beyond the walls of his workshop to the daily…
This Thai Cowboy is Wrangling A New Kind of Customer
byYou might not expect a leather artisan from rural Chiangmai to utter the classic western phrase, “Git along, little dogies,” but you’d be wrong….
How One Artisan Balances Woodworking With Conservation In His Local Forest
byGrowing up in the forests of Chimaltenago, Patricio Coroy was fortunate to play in the dense woodlands. But as he grew older, he noticed…
She harvests what others reject. But this artist is doing more than saving the environment with her work.
byAs an advocate for sustainability, this up-cycling bead-worker challenges us to open our eyes, not just to the plight of our planet, but to…
Balvina Huaytalla: Andean appliqué and the art of weaving dreams that tell stories
byThe possibilities are endless when a person faces high-risk decisions in life that may result in success or failure. When everything seems fraught with…
Alejandro Chavez, healing the pain of tragedy with Ayacuchan retablos
byAlejandro Chavez began learning the art of Ayacuchan retablos, or dioramas, at a very young age. But a war forced him to awaken from…
How One Thai Jeweler Is Shedding Light on A Taboo Subject
byIn Thai society, many elderly suffer from rejection, loneliness, no income, no opportunity or outlet for their long-held skills and talents. This artisan is changing…