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Product ID: 243893
Watching over their tiny son, Mary and Joseph smile as shepherds adore the newborn Christ child. Beneath, musicians in fanciful costumes serenade them. Alejandro Chávez portrays the scenes on two levels in three dimensions. This traditional diorama is known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled and painted by hand.
You can find our wood retablo 'Christmas with Musicians' by Alejandro Chavez in holiday decor & ornaments categories such as Retablos Nativity Scenes and Wood Nativity Scenes. Enjoy exploring these sections for other Novica treasures.
Profound Impact
Novica sales provide Alejandro's family workshop with a steady cash flow. These sales account for nearly half of their monthly income, helping to ensure their survival. Markets and other seasonal outlets provide supplemental income that contributes to their annual living expenses. In the coming years, Alejandro hopes to grow his workshop and better his family by increasing his Novica sales.
Preserving Traditions
At school in Ayacucho, Alejandro began to learn the indigenous art of Andean retableria. Seeking to refine his craft, he apprenticed at the workshop of Angel Castro to learn the secrets of a master retablista. Upon his teacher's death, Alejandro founded his own workshop. There he began to incorporate his wife's modeled figures into his traditional retablos. Today Alejandro's nephews are his apprentices and his family workshop continues to craft their beloved retablos, which recount the culture and traditions of the Andes.
Enabling Education
One year away from his 50th birthday, Alejandro and his wife adopted a son and a daughter (Jose and Carol) from their hometown. Today Alejandro continues to provide for the education of his children and his grandchild, who joined the family in 2018. His daughter Carol is studying accounting and his son Jose is at the police academy.
Microcredit Financing
Alejandro Chavez has received 4 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $800 and the most recent for $1100. Proceeds were used to invest in the purchase of raw materials such as plaster, ceramic, plywood and paint.
Covering Basic Needs
This artist striving to supporting their own or their family's basic needs and improve their livelihood.
"Over the years, I perfected my abilities and became a master retablo craftsman. In some, I depict Biblical scenes and, in others, everyday life in the Andes."
Alejandro Chavez was born in Lima in 1956. He specialises in creating retablos, a kind of reverent diorama-altar typical of the Ayacucho region of... read more