Dear Market Supporter,
As we begin 2012, I would like to take this time to reflect on our achievements and express my deepest appreciation for supporters like you who make our work at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market possible.
It is because of you that we can create a dynamic global community that crosses borders, changes lives and brings the world together.
LOOKING BACK AT 2011
Expanded Opportunities for Artists
We helped 32 artists and their representatives gain access to new wholesale markets by partnering with the Dallas Market Center, one of the largest home and gift shows in the country. In addition, 76 artists, representing over 20,000 cooperative members, participated in Artist Training programs focusing on new global marketing opportunities.
Empowered Marginalized Artists
Women and other marginalized artists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Niger-war torn and some of the poorest countries on earth-had the opportunity for economic gain and recognition within their communities. Artists report that girls’ earnings have allowed them to marry at an older age because they are bringing income to the family.
Educated Children
Over 60% of our artists have reported that they helped more children go to school, buy school uniforms, and pay for tuition and books as a result of their earnings at the Folk Art Market. That is remarkable achievement!
LOOKING AHEAD AT 2012
Inviting New Artists
Four new countries were accepted into the 2012 Market, including Hungary, Uganda, Vanuatu and South Sudan-the world’s newest nation! A total of 181 artists were invited from 55 countries, including 38 cooperatives representing 15,542 members, reaching 155,542 family and community members.
Expanding Community Involvement
This coming year’s Artists’ Procession and free concert at the Santa Fe Railyard, will be part of International Folk Arts Week, a weeklong celebration of events around town leading up to the Folk Art Market weekend.
Preserving Endangered Traditions
We welcome another year of preserving endangered traditional arts of indigenous peoples at the brink of extinction. At our current rate of decline, indigenous cultures are rapidly disappearing at 30 per year and half of our living cultural heritage will disappear in a single generation.*
Thank you for helping bring the Market closer to its vision of a world that ensures a dignified, sustainable living for folk artists who are essential to preserving cultural diversity across the globe.
On behalf of the folk artists who have participated over the past eight years to the ones who will be coming to the Market for the first time, we simply could not do this important work without you!
Warm regards,
Charlene Cerny
Executive Director
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
*Paul Hawken, Blessed Unrest, 2007, p.94