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Dear Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art,
Throughout the years, FOFA has appreciated the ongoing support of people such as you in our mission to keep the rich cultural traditions of Oaxaca alive. You've "been there" for us. At this difficult time we hope that you and your loved ones have not been severely impacted by the pandemic that has turned all our lives upside down. Our hearts go out to any of you who have suffered a great loss.
We want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the impact of COVID-19 on both the folk artists of Oaxaca and FOFA's ongoing work to support them. Sadly we've had to postpone the many exciting projects that were in the works for 2020-2021 (see below), and the news from Oaxaca makes us sadder still. We are in the final stages of developing a COVID-themed project to be announced to Oaxacan folk artists known to us over many years due to their recognition as winners or honorable mentions in FOFA-MEAPO's young artists' competitions. We will be in touch with you soon to share this news.
Prize Winners and Honorable Mentions of FOFA's 2018 Young Artists' Competition
The Situation in Oaxaca
As you can well imagine, the situation on the ground for Oaxaca's artesanos is ominous economically, although fortunately - from what we have been able to learn so far - the health threat has not been dire up to now. Mitigation in Oaxaca through social distancing began in late March, when all government buildings, museums, schools, galleries and most stores shut down. The region is in what the government calls "Stage Three," which means that community spread of the virus exists. Of course statistics must be taken with caution, as widespread testing is not being done and the virus is said not to have reached its peak, which is expected around the second week of June. As of May 21st the Mexican Ministry of Health reported 808 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 90 deaths in Oaxaca state as a whole, and 192 cases and 14 deaths in Oaxaca City; 76% of the reported cases are in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. The drought that exists in parts of Oaxaca adds to the problem, significantly compromising access to fresh water to practice safe hand hygiene in the countryside where hand sanitizer is not accessible.
The good news is that all the artesanos with whom we have communicated in the past weeks report that they and their families are healthy. Artisanal villages have sealed themselves off from outside traffic. However, artists are understandably very frightened about their livelihoods, as tourism has ground to a halt since late March. The usual crowds for Semana Santa did not arrive, and the annual July Guelaguetza festival that traditionally brings thousands of visitors to Oaxaca has been canceled. The upshot is that artesanos - who are largely dependent on sales that take place in Oaxaca - are in deep economic peril, and will be for some time to come. Although increasing numbers of artesanos are familiar with the concept of the internet, their prospects for generating sustainable income through online sales have been limited by the high costs associated with packaging and shipping to the US and other international markets. There is also a general lack of knowledge about how reliably to send and insure art, as well as an absence of established business relationships with international clientele beyond the purchases of collectors and gallery owners who customarily come to Oaxaca and arrange their own shipping.
Some Local Initiatives in Oaxaca So Far
The following are some local (in Oaxaca) initiatives that have come to our attention. If you are aware of other direct aid efforts, please let us know (
[email protected]) about them. While FOFA's legal status prevents us from sending money directly to individuals, we are happy to support the efforts of others who are making a meaningful difference.
- Our Oaxacan friends directed us to a newly formed organization in the city of Oaxaca, ApoyoMutuoOaxaca (Mutual Aid for Oaxaca), a non-governmental volunteer relief organization providing food relief, mental health counseling and other services (https://amoax.ong.mx)
- FOFA salutes the Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú, that has generously offered space to FOFA for its workshops and presented our 2016 young artists' collection after the exhibition closed at MEAPO. The Foundation is investing 5,000,000 Mexico pesos ($250,000 USD) to purchase art from at least 156 artisanal families in 76 communities in Oaxaca alone, and additional families in other stats in Mexico.
FOFA Programming Suspended
The following FOFA programs in New York and Oaxaca have been postponed until they may be safely rescheduled:
- FOFA's spring 2020 Cultural History course for 2018 concurso winners, which halted after the 5th of its intended 10 meetings funded in part by LADAP;
- Spring 2020 visits to New York by FOFA artesanos Sara García Mendoza and Victor Bustamante Herrera, including their participation at the Rutgers University Folk Festival in April and numerous public and private school presentations;
- FOFA's April 29, 2020 fundraiser and folk art auction at Casa Mezcal in Manhattan;
- In Oaxaca this year, individual English language tutoring for concurso winners, in collaboration with the Outreach Committee of the Oaxaca Lending Library, plus group English classes with the international trade organization EnVia;
- An exhibition in 2020 of young artesanos' works at Andares Gallery in Oaxaca displaying the results of their participation in a 2019 product innovation course sponsored by FOFA and taught by designers and marketing consultant specializing in folk art;
- Starting in August, 2020 a multi-session sustainability course for Oaxacan wood carvers taught by Carlos Ortega Ayala, an expert on sustainability well-known to FOFA; this was to be funded in part by LADAP;
- In September, 2020, a FOFA exhibition in conjunction with the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York and the Consul General of Mexico in New York that was to showcase the work of Oaxacan female textile artist winners in all five FOFA-MEAPO young artists concursos and to open with a presentation by renowned folk art expert Marta Turok of Mexico City
- In November 2020, FOFA's participation at the American Museum of Natural History's third annual Day of the Dead community celebration (which will presumably be canceled)
- Ongoing throughout 2020, preparations for FOFA's 6th Young Folk Artists Competition (originally scheduled for January 2021 and now on hold until a date TBD)
It's been with great regret that we've postponed all these wonderful projects and events, but our commitment to supporting the young artesanos with whom we have worked for many years remains strong during this unprecedented time. We will be back in touch in the coming weeks, and we look forward to hearing your news and ideas as well.
Wishing you safety and hope, and thank you for your support,
Arden Rothstein, President
Amy Mulvihill, Vice President
Deborah Huntington, Treasurer
Karen Collins, Secretary
Janette Cordova
Joyce M. Grossbard
Dana Kasarsky
Nina Stern McCullaugh
Mariana M. Pedrero
Margee Rogers
Marissa Sanchez
William Scanlan, Jr.
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