Visiting Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
Recently, I asked my employees if they would like to contribute photos and captions from any of their trips or vacations for me to post on my blog, as I hear of so many exciting travels. Kate Lewis, a long-time employee, was the first to respond. Kate, who travels frequently, is passionate about empowering women around the globe and I hope you’ll enjoy this guest blog as much as I did.
Hi, I’m Kate, an employee who loves folk art and recently, I went to New Mexico to attend the amazing Santa Fe International Folk Art Market with several girlfriends. This event, which has been held for the past eight years, is the largest market of its kind in the world. This year, more than 150 master folk artists representing 50 different countries, were selected to participate in this colorful, creative, and fun gathering, attended by more than 25,000 people! What is of particular interest to me is that nearly half of the artists, who exhibit, represent women’s cooperatives. The enormous impact of women’s cooperatives, throughout the world, is affording women an opportunity to rise out of poverty and have a market for their crafts. Listening to their stories, as they proudly display their wares, is always truly inspiring and touching. By the way, did you know that 2012 has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives?
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