Colombia’s best artesans and handicrafts manufacturers will be exhibiting their work this long weekend at Medellin’s Expoartesano.
The Expoartesano will be held from October 8 – 12 in Medellin’s Plaza Mayor, and will aim to promote and expand the quality and availability of Colombia’s crafts, visitors and shoppers a representative sample of the best of crafts in the country, as well as promoting good business, expansion opportunities, and visibility for the sector.
A large exhibition of the nation’s best crafts will be separated by category to help prospective buyers find their way amongst the stellar products on display. The White Hall will be dedicated to tablewear and furniture, from Indian and other traditions, and will include a small sample from four guest countries: Peru, Mexico, India and Guatemala.
The Blue Pavillion will contain decorative and children’s art, fashion, accessories and jewelry.
The quality of the works on display will confirm that craftworks is no longer a niche market but can also be very urban and open to contemporary design concepts.
Armando De La Torre, director of the trade fair, said that Expoartesano hopes to become a benchmark for Medellin and Antioquia’s artisans to take on new and higher benchmarks for their work.
Thus, Artesanías de Colombia will hold lectures and workshops on Saturday for 300 pre-selected local artisans. Topics such as The ABCs of crafts, and Exporting Trends 2010-2011, will be part of the agenda. Furthermore, 600 artisans will be able to enter the exhibition free of charge.
Artesanías de Colombiais bringing Expoartesano to Medellin for the first time, not only to take advantage of the commercial and entrepreneurial boom of the city, but also in order to decentralize the culture of Bogota to the rest of the country, said de la Torre. He explained that this will be a varied and representative sample of the best of national crafts, showcasing many different techniques, types of trades and materials. “The goal … is that this fair positions Medellin on the itinerary of international buyers.”
More information can be found on the Expoartesano’s official site.