Yesterday (March 19), Mexico celebrated the Day of the Artisan. Well, celebrated isn’t really the right word. COVID-19 (aka, coronavirus) was the elephant in the country.
I had long-planned to attend the always well curated 3-day Día del Artesano craft sale at Andares del Arte Popular. It’s an opportunity to meet and buy directly from the craftspeople who weave the rugs, embroider the cloth, shape the clay, carve and paint the wood, and the work of other amazingly talented artisans.
However, the sale was very responsibly canceled. Tourists and winter visitors are scrambling to return home as soon as possible, restaurants are either closing or offering only take-out service, and as I write, the city has begun instituting measures to restrict people from gathering in public spaces and calling on public transit to limit or suspend service, among other actions.
Oaxaca’s tourist-driven economy is going to take a tremendous hit. Right now, the best way to honor the artisans is to treasure the beauty they have brought to our lives. And, when the day eventually comes that we can again move about freely, we should seek them out, thank them for joy their talent brings us, and (hopefully) empty our pocketbooks a little more than usual.
Almost life-size ceramic sculptures are by the Aguilar family in Ocotlán de Morelos and were on display at Andares this month.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
I adore these sculptures. Thanks for sharing and bringing joy and color into our lives.
The closer I looked, the more amazing they were. I know you treasure your Josefina Aguilar sculptures!
Yes, I’m thinking of the artisans. Several years ago I stumbled into the Henestrosa library which had a wonderful exhibit. During a big strike, Amate Bookstore commissioned alebrije makers to create figures that were reading books. Such a fabulous and generous idea. Hopefully something similar will inspire new artisans to create wonderful art in this dark period.
I hope so!!! And, yes, I remember the works Henry and Rosa commissioned… all related to books.
Your post, and these wonderful sculptures, brought such a spark of joy today! On a cold, wet, and dreary day filled with so much doom and gloom, it was wonderful to open my mail and see such a vibrant expression of life! Thanks for that wonderful gift today! Stay safe and well.
Thank you so much, Judy! As a former RN, I SO understand the seriousness of these days the world is experiencing. However, I’m trying to share the beauty that we all need.