Calabazo

An admirably artistic neighborhood friend also went to teach the students and their parents today. She is one of the gems here in Esmeraldas (known as the green province), a gatekeeper of the history and culture of her African Ecuadorian roots. She is a naturalist who creates works of art from what nature supplies her. One of the main types of art she works with is calabazo. Calabazo is plentiful here and was traditionally used to make bowls and utensils. Maria fears the loss of this traditional craft and wants to share her skill with the younger generation. Today the students and their mothers labored over calabazos making pear shaped ornaments and flower designed calabazos. It was touching to see the children so eager to learn their ancestral craft and share time with their mothers laboring and learning as a team. I hope that the lessons continue over the next months and the girls and their mothers can pass on this invaluable craft to their daughters and granddaughters of the next generation.

I must admi,t my entrepreneurial mind kept thinking how we could turn this small group of about 12 mothers and children into a group of artisans profiting from a culturally rooted activity, uniting the women of the community. I hope to encourage the progression of this group of women. I have been thinking and thinking of ideas to make their arts marketable. So far I have been thinking of talking to some of the artisan
stores in Quito which sell the artwork of small groups. Maybe these could be used as a bird house and marketed to the abundance of birders who visit the country. Any ideas on the aesthetics of the artwork or ideas for selling are much appreciated!