Puppet, "Smiling Siren"

The Geísa Gonçalves Art Center is an organization dedicated to the crafting of a variety of items. In the beginning there were only 12 artisans from one of Brazil's most famous favelas they got together with the intention of attaining recognition of their work. Now the organization welcomes 70 artisans, most of whom are entirely dedicated to their crafts.

The organization is named after Geísa Gonçalves, a volunteer teacher who was killed in 2000 when the bus she was riding was hijacked. Geísa taught artisans to weave a variety of baskets from newspaper. She taught them how to recycle newspaper in the creation of beautiful and utilitarian pieces.

Favelas are densely populated neighborhoods surrounding Rio de Janeiro. Each artist and each neighbor lives each day as a unique moment that blends poverty and wealth, hope and affiliation, fear and will. Recently, artist and artisan associations have gained momentum, impetus and special importance in terms of cultural expression.