TRAINING FOR ARTISAN FACILITATORS – TAKE 2

November 24, 2022

TRAINING FOR ARTISAN FACILITATORS – TAKE 2

by Campbell Plowden
October 12, 2022

 

Our next attempt to prepare a new cadre of artisan teachers took place in Amazonas village on the Marañon River with 29 participants from 7 villages – only half of whom were experienced artisans. Doilith stayed in her usual role to show five women how to make chambira butterflies for the first time while three artisans from San Francisco took on facilitator duties for small groups tasked with making three birds.

 

Doilith del Castillo shows Francisca Orosco how to make a chambira butterfly
Template for sewing chambira butterfly wing

 

It was great that we had three men from the Ampiyacu in the group making the purple gallinule. They were all eager to improve their skills and with guidance from Pablo and input from me to include more green in the wings and tail, they made the best ornaments of this species that have ever been produced. I was disappointed that none of the three women artisans from the Ampiyacu we had invited to attend this training were able to come.

 

Chambira ornament of purple gallinule with photo

 

Wenceslao is a talented artisan who had been a facilitator trainee before so it was great to see him gaining confidence in this role leading his group making the American kestrel. Edson led his group making the orange breasted falcon. It was good to see him again since our relationship with this key artisan leader and regular facilitator had been rocky over the past year.

 

Artisan facilitator Wencenslao Sandi showing Miriam Pinedo how to make a chambira kestrel
Photo and chambira ornament of orange breasted falcon

 

On the second day, we posted our favorite “5 Steps to Accompany an Artisan” in a training (Explain, Show, Observe, Comment, Affirm) along with a more comprehensive “Responsibilities of Artisan Facilitators” I had written up that morning. The first item was “Show respect for artisans from all communities and cultures.” It was prompted by hearing that one of our participants had made derogatory comments about some native artisans at a previous gathering. We strongly encourage our artisan facilitators to go through Alternatives to Violence Project training to be more conscious about the impact of their words and actions, but we can’t require it.

 

Poster of Responsibilities of an Artisan Facilitator (in Spanish) at Amazon Ecology workshop
Artisan Marianela Olaza and daughter at Amazon Ecology training workshop for artisan facilitators



Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News

Puca Urquillo artisans cooperate to build a bird's nest to withstand an impending flood
Strengthening artisan organizations in Puca Urquillo

November 26, 2023

"While concepts like punctuality, mutual respect, no put downs of self or others, and listening when someone else is speaking may seem like obvious guidelines to form a positive community, a commitment to actually practice and hold each other accountable to observe these agreements is profound in a culture where showing up late, malicious gossip, and interrupting a speaker are painfully common."

Continue Reading

Artisan group with green darner dragonflies made at artisan facilitator training
Artisan Facilitator Training with Bluebirds and Dragonflies

November 26, 2023

"Artisan facilitators should of course share what they know, but beginning and experienced artisans all benefit by remaining humble, enthusiastic about learning, and committed to encourage and affirm their fellow artisans.  So many artisans said that the thing they most wanted to bring back to their communities was this spirit of working in a mutually supportive environment."

Continue Reading

A Traditional Bora Dance and Craft Display
A Traditional Bora Dance and Craft Display

November 25, 2023

"Both men and women wore garb made with bleached llanchama tree bark painted with graphic figures from Bora clans.  Several wore headdresses made with the feathers from macaws and parrots.  They discussed the importance of nature and craft-making in their culture and then launched into a lively dance where the men chanted and pounded sticks into the ground to the rhythm of moving around in a circle.  Visitors joined the undulating lines to share the vibrant energy."

Continue Reading