Cooperativa Divino Niño Textiles for Home

Colombian artist collective Divino Niño was founded by master artisans Reinel Mendoza and Magno Mahecha, members of the Indigenous Zenu group in the northwestern part of Colombia. Throughout thousands of years, the Zenu people have developed a distinctive, highly refined approach to making art. In addition to intricately woven purses and hats, Divino Niño’s artisans also create a range of beautifully unique jewelry, including necklaces, earrings and bangles.

Crucelina Chocho Opua Baskets

Women’s Empowerment

Colombian basketry artist Crucelina Chocho Opua is a member of the Wounaan Indigenous group, which is native to parts of Central and South America. She strongly believes in the importance of preserving the techniques and artwork of her ancestors. Each of her intricately woven baskets contains geometric patterning and motifs unique to the Wounaan people for thousands of years.

Ferney Mejía Dura Asociación Gloria de Dios Baskets

Environmental Sustainability

The artisans of Colombia’s Asociación Gloria de Dios, founded in 2009, make strikingly intricate, handwoven baskets using local materials: the fibers of tetera and chocolatillo plants. Basketry is a long-standing tradition within Colombia’s Canaan community. The work is nothing short of fine art, with meticulous arrangements of geometric patterning and colors forged into hypnotic designs.

Gary González | Taller Centro Artesanal Del Sombrero Wayuú Apparel

The technique of hat weaving by the Wayúu people of northern Colombia has been passed down for generations from elders to children. This association of nearly 90 artists has used its creative power and technical talent to diversify traditional weaving. They make items for daily use, such as table mats and basketry, to introduce Wayúu crafts and culture to a wider audience.

Leonidas Gutiérrez Artesanías Koreguaje Pairepa Baskets

The jigra is an important item for the Koreguaje people of Colombia’s Amazon rain forest. Leonidas Gutiérrez, Artesanías Koreguaje

Pairepa and other community members create these bags, made with cumare — a type of palm — according to standards passed down through generations. “Each design has a special meaning, reflecting the feelings, thoughts and traditions of the Koreguaje people,” says Gutiérrez.

Luis Alberto Cano | L.A. CANO Jewelry

Innovation and Design

In the lushly beautiful city of Rionegro, master jeweler Luis Alberto Cano runs artist collective Precoarte, which for decades has been focused on preserving ancient, Indigenous creative techniques. This group of around 40 artists crafts elaborately detailed and often technically breathtaking fine metal jewelry, working exclusively with brass and silver plated in 24-karat gold.

María Concepción Ospina Gómez | Kayuusipaa Apparel

Brightly colored bags with woven straps embellished with tassels are just some of the items on offer from María Concepción Ospina Gómez, who is from the Wayúu ethnic group. Gómez founded Kayuusipaa, now comprising around 35 individual artists, to expand her business and to serve other weavers. For years, Gómez and her fellow artisans have been producing richly hued accessories, clothing and other items.

Marlen Pacheco | Watay Rugs

Innovation and Design

While some folk artists create a broad range of items in various mediums, Colombia’s Marlen Pacheco is focused on one thing: making some of the most durable and beautiful woven jute rugs in the world. Pacheco has worked as a designer and master weaver for more than 25 years, creating traditional designs and using innovative techniques and materials, such as metallic wires.

Tomasa Díaz

Asociación de Artesanos de Chimichagua

Textiles for Home

Environmental Sustainability Named after the town of Chimichagua, this artisan-run network began as a loose group of craftspeople. The town’s mayor urged them to form a structured organization to receive legal status and to reach a larger audience. Today the collective boasts almost 40 artists, each working on an array of tasks, from harvesting the local palma estera, a plant used as a base material, to gathering natural pigments, dying and weaving.