CAMBRIDGE, MA, November 19, 2014—Cultural Survival’s Bazaar Program works to strengthen indigenous cultures by providing them with a venue, that they otherwise lack, to sell their handmade art and crafts while perpetuating their artistic traditions and providing a sustainable income to indigenous artisans and their communities.
On December 12, 13, and 14, 2014, Cultural Survival will hold one of its Bazaars at CambridgeSide on Levels 2 and 3. The FREE admission event will feature local and guest artisans, as well as hand-made crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry, tribal area rugs, and accessories made and sold by Indigenous craftspeople. Items sold at Cultural Survival Bazaars support the livelihoods of indigenous artisans in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, along with many community projects worldwide.
“Cultural Survival brings together artisans like us who are living our heritage through the production of our art. At the same time, we educate the public about the danger we face of losing our cultures through mass production in a global marketplace…Cultural Survival provides the venues and marketing necessary for successful shows, especially in the current economy. Offering shopping in a global marketplace to knowledgeable people has proven not only beneficial for us, but essential in allowing us the opportunity to earn the income needed to continue focusing on creating original art that is true to our ancestry.” – Lenny Novak Algonquin/Abenaqui
The Bazaars are a unique cultural experience. Attendees will meet visiting artisans, view craft-making demonstrations, learn about Cultural Survival’s non-profit work worldwide, as well as purchase handmade jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, scarves, décor, and much more supporting the livelihoods of artisans and many community projects worldwide.
Some of the featured guests include Huichol or Wixárika Yarn Painter Cilau Valadez, who will also be representing 2 different co-ops that support over 40 Wixarika-Huichol families who don’t have a market in Mexico. Other artisans include Shona Wire and Bead artisan Bernard Domingo, Algonquin/Abenaqui artisan Lenny Novak, Hmong Embroidery artisan Chia Yang Khang, and Mashpee Wampanoag artisan Annawon Weeden. There will also be several fair trade companies/nonprofits participating including Project Have Hope working with Acholi bead and textile artisans in Uganda, also Tibet Arts working with Tibetan refugee artisans in Nepal and India, Cochabamba Exchange working with two Aymara women’s cooperatives; Warmis Ajayu and Artesania Sorata. Other vendors include the Guatemalan Art & Culture Connection working with Mayan artists and artisans, Camu Imports working with artisans from Laos and Thailand, Yarina Threads working with Quichua artisans from Ecuador, and KARE Samburu who are working with various Samburu artisan cooperatives in Kenya.
Cultural Survival Bazaar
CambridgeSide
December 12, 13, 14
CambridgeSide, Level 2 (near Best Buy) & Level 3 (near Bank of America)
100 CambridgeSide Place
Cambridge, MA 02141
Fri: 10am – 10pm, Sat: & Sun: 9am – 10pm