Mexico Hand Made was created November 19 2005 in partnership with FONART to promote techniques and traditions of Mexican Art. The concept of arts and crafts in Mexico expresses a cultural and symbolic process in Which imagination and hard work come together to bring out the diversity of its people.
What is FONART?
The Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanias (The Nacional Fund for the Development of the Crafts), FONART, was created as an answer to the necessity of promoting the domestic artisan activity. FONART carries out different activities with the purpose of impelling, inside its competitive environment, the productive social development and the opening marketing channels of the products elaborated by artisans that inhabit the rural and indigenous areas, to integrate them into the benefits of the domestic progress, economically and socially speaking. FONART was constituted in 1974.
Mission
FONART wants to support the artisans from Mexico to contribute to the improvement of their quality of life and to preserve the values of their traditional culture, linking the artisan’s creativity with the final customer by supportive programs and effective marketing strategies that assure the positioning of quality artisan products in the domestic and international markets.
CONTESTS
Contests are organized periodically to honor those artisans that have excelled in their work in the areas of innovation, preservation and rescue of traditional techniques. The contests are held locally, regionally, state wide and national, this bringing together a variety of techniques, materials and colors. In organizing this event FONART receives the pieces, displays them for the jurors, and puts them on exhibit and sale, positioning the pieces as high valued items.
Handicrafts at FONART
Known as Artesanías, traditional Mexican folk art is deeply tied to indigenous and national identities. Goods like embroidered textiles, painted ceramics, original jewelry and blown glass are characterized by bold colors, geometric patterns or natural motifs. An important and dwindling tradition, initiatives like FONART encourage craftsmanship through artisan training, retail selling and craft competitions. In contrast to the many craft outlets, FONART is said to supply the highest quality goods while providing the most support for the craftsmen! Regional artisans from rural communities are able to display their creations in Mexico City’s retail locations and markets. Competitions encourage creativity and quality with an emphasis on tradition and sustainable materials. Each unique design can trace elements back through history from pre-Colombian times to European influences but every piece is unique. Checkout a National Fund for the Development of Arts and Crafts location the next time you’re in Mexico City!