FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jess Cherofsky // 617.441.5400 x 15 // jess@cs.org
International Arts Festival Features Jewelers of Silver, Gold, and Grass
Indigenous artists convene at 43rd holiday season of Cultural Survival Bazaars
CAMBRIDGE, MA, November 30, 2018 — Cultural Survival’s annual art and culture festivals are back in time for your holiday shopping on December 15-16, and on December 21-23, 2018. These free admission events will feature local and international artists, as well as exquisite handmade crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry, rugs, and accessories made and sold by Indigenous craftspeople. Items sold at Cultural Survival Bazaars support the livelihoods of Indigenous artists, along with many community projects worldwide.
Featured at this year’s Bazaars are Jannette Vanderhoop, Katarina Doda, and Finatur Design.
Jannette Vanderhoop owns her own business, Island Naturals. A member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), based in what is commonly known as Martha’s Vineyard, she crafts jewelry from wampum shells, stones, and other natural items.The materials Vanderhoop uses are based on traditional themes - “wampum with a contemporary flare!”
Katarina Doda is a jeweler from Macedonia. She specializes in silver filigree pieces made using pure silver and, in some cases, semi-precious stones. Doda makes all the jewelry herself, in her own workshop, with her own tools. A traditional craft in Macedonia, this type of jewelry has been dwindling due to the difficult and timely process it requires. Doda’s love of this traditional style and her abundant patience drives her to preserve her artistic heritage.
Finatur Design is a small business that has partnered with the Zenu community of Colombia for over 25 years. The Zenu Indigenous community is located in the Indigenous Reservoir of San Andres de Sotavento in the Department of Córdoba, Colombia. Crafters’ main material, "caña flecha,” is a species of grass used both in the construction of houses and of crafts such as jewelry, baskets, and hats. The fiber that contains the central vein of the leaf is extracted by hand. This fiber is then washed, dried and fractionated into strips. These strips can be dyed and colored with many local plants such as leaves, roots, mud and clays, seeds and pulverized minerals. After dyeing, the fibers are woven together in pairs of long ribbons. With these long ribbons hats, bags, purses, and accessories are made.
Cultural Survival, a nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, MA, will hold its annual Indigenous arts festivals. Cultural Survival Bazaars are a series of cultural festivals that provide Indigenous artists, cooperatives, and their representatives from around the world the chance to sell their work directly to the US public.
Since 1975, Cultural Survival Bazaars have provided a market for thousands of Indigenous artists and cooperatives spanning six continents and over 60 countries. The Bazaars are a unique and rare multicultural experience. Attendees will meet visiting artisans, view craft-making demonstrations, learn about Cultural Survival’s non-profit work worldwide, as well as purchase handmade jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, scarves, décor, and much more, supporting the livelihoods of artisans and many community projects worldwide.
Join us in this multicultural event that goes beyond fair trade with a true understanding of sourcing, as well as equitable and sustainable compensation!
Event Information:
December 15-16
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
459 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02138
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm
Free admission
Free parking
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December 21-23
Prudential Center
Belvidere and Huntington Arcades
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199
Enter at the corner of Huntington Ave. and Belvidere St. (Elevator and escalator access at this entrance)
Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
Free admission
