The Artisans Initiative

THE ARTISANS INITIATIVE

Is a program designed to provide earned income opportunities and training to Bronx artisans as well as underrepresented artisans of the Diaspora. It is our goal to cultivate a viable cultural and economic asset within our communities by providing these artists with marketing and valuable small business training. We will create a marketplace to sell their original products, and encourage entrepreneurial activities by this special group of craftspeople. We believe that artisans are ARTISTS and should be respected as such.

FOLK ART & ARTISANS
We define these works of art as originating among the common people of a given nation or region and such work reflects the traditional culture of that area. These can be 'everyday' or seasonal festival items produced by unschooled artists. Artisans and folk artists are people that create works such as handmade jewelry, leather goods, pottery, textiles, and clothing to name a few.

TARGET GROUP
Our main focus is Bronx artists creating work in hand crafted contemporary and traditional art including immigrant and/or refugee communities residing in the Bronx and the artists that use their art to perpetuate and preserve cultural practices. We strive to encourage the use of one's culture as an asset and a tool for community empowerment. We believe technical support, loan and grant opportunities, marketing via traditional means as well as e-commerce, can help improve the quality of life for all involved.

SCHEDULE
We will tailor our services to match your needs, with pre-and post Marketplace Marketing workshops throughout the year. A bi-monthly meeting and once a month selling venue opportunities, earned income is an important aspect of the program.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Participants will be offered small business management counseling and pre-marketplace marketing workshops to ensure merchant productivity. BCADC coordinates community based services and functions as market developers to assist participants in launching independent careers as entrepreneurs.

CULTURAL CONNECTIVITY – Gallery Exhibitions

Participate in gallery exhibitions. In the past artisans were vital parts of their community. Each artisan became part of the cultural landscape and community that he/she served - a reflection of the community’s values, beliefs and industry. By providing an opportunity for local artisans to exhibit their work, we express the project’s intent and purpose by introducing the work of these local artisans to the public.

CRITERIA
To be considered for the program, candidates must be an immigrant or descendant of immigrants/ refugees; create original works/contemporary crafts that he/she is willing to sell; be willing to participate in or be represented at marketplace events; be able to produce enough products to sell; participate in pre-marketplace workshops.

bronxArtworks™

The bronxArtworks™ brand serves to illuminate the cultural richness of the Bronx, showcasing craft created by immigrant artisans living and working in the Bronx, is helping to build a following through more public exposure and presence in the marketplace. The bronxArtworks™ label has accompanied the work of artisans selling on consignment at the Bronx Museum of Arts gift shop and by artisans vending at the Bronx Food and Art Festival as well as at Culturefest the city’s annual cultural celebration. The essential factor in the brand will be the differentiation from other competitors in the market. Become part of an up and coming brand (artists retain their name on all works).
Download bronxArtworks™ factsheet

Art as Awards

The Artisans Initiative sponsors the Art as Awards program, providing commissioned craft/artwork for presentation to honored recipients, an alternative to plaques & statues. This effort has generated earned income and higher visibility to the efforts of the program. For example the Citizens Advice Bureau presently offers Art as Awards for their annual Living Legend Award recipients.

recent events

Project Enterprise presents a free Workshop for Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 6:30pm

Casa Blanca at Pregones (BCA Development Corp office)

571 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10451

718-401-9558

Project Enterprise helps support and develop entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing access to business loans, business development services and networking opportunities. A representative from Project Enterprise will conduct a free workshop. Come out and get the backing your home business or startup needs. This will be the last workshop until fall 2010. For more info about Project Enterprise, visit www.projectenterprise.org.

directions: 2, 4, & 5 trains to 149th & Grand Concourse, walk 1 block to Walton Ave.

Shoot It Right! Free workshop
Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 5:30 - 7pm
Hostos Community College, room C - 354

450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY

This is the perfect workshop for artists with a desire to photograph their artwork. Learn to create an inexpensive photography setup on a budget.  Learn easy focusing, lighting, and exposure techniques for documenting 2D, 3D, and very small artwork. *Bring your own digital camera to this workshop if you have one.

photos: Diana Pucci

The Bronx Council on the Arts and The Huntington Free Library presented a free series of  Adult and Family craft workshops each 3rd Saturday of the Month through April 17th.

Huntington Free Library (next to Apple Savings Bank)

9 Westchester Square, Bronx, NY 10461.

Phone: 718-829-7770

Directions: 6 train to Westchester Square or BX40, 42, 31, 21, & 4 buses to Westchester Square.

 

Download workshop series PDF here.

Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Scary & Sweet Mask Making – Join Lucrecia Novoa mask maker extraordinaire and create an original mask to wear or display.

Saturday, November 21, 2009, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Green T Workshop – Design a gorgeous t-shirt using natural dyes and embellishment with artist Diane Davis.

Saturday, December 19, 2009, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Crochet for Me – Dominique and Gail share the skills you need go create an original crochet hat  to wear or give.

Saturday, January 9, from 4:00 – 9:00pm
Opening Reception for Images in Pencil – Artwork by Fran Marino (on view through January 30th). Refreshments will be served. For further information, call Cathy McChesney at 718–829-7770 or Fran Marino at 718-931-2438.

Saturday, January 16, 2010, from 12:00am – 2:30pm
Maedeup: The Elegant Art of Knot Tying – Master artist Karen Ahn teaches the amazing art of Korean knot tying. Create a special pin to wear or give.

Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Eco Art Workshop – Go green! Create a nature based art collage with artist Star Nigro.

Saturday, March 20, 2010, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Bead Making – Gail Sharbaan shows you ingenious ways to create your own beads for adornment.

Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 12:00 – 2:30pm
Story in a Recycled Bottle – Make a miniature world inside a bottle with artist Lucy Aponte.

Back to BCA Development Corps.