Matanzas branch of the ACAA and its exquisite offerings at FIART 2025 (+photos).
The work of the members of the Matanzas branch of the Cuban Association of Artisan Artists is represented with exquisitely crafted pieces in nearly a dozen booths at the fairgrounds on Línea and 18th Streets in Havana, as part of the XXVII International Handicrafts Fair, dedicated this year to the province of Matanzas.
The work of the members of the Matanzas branch of the Cuban Association of Artisan Artists is represented with exquisitely crafted pieces in nearly a dozen booths at the fairgrounds on Línea and 18th Streets in Havana, as part of the XXVII International Handicrafts Fair, dedicated this year to the province of Matanzas.
“Representing the province of Matanzas, our booths feature artists, most of whom come from families with a long tradition of crafting, working with a wide variety of materials, from marine resources and fiber to jewelry and ceramics.
“These same artists participate every year in the circuit of fairs organized by the Cuban Fund for Cultural Assets, not only in the province of Matanzas and Havana, but throughout the rest of the country.
“We are showcasing 18 works by 12 artists who competed in the provincial exhibitions and later participated in the 4th Artisan Festival in Cuba and the 1st Salon of Award-Winning Artists.”
“We have all the forms of craftsmanship, from textiles and metalwork to woodworking and shellwork, which is also closely tied to the Matanzas tradition and is a defining characteristic of our artisanry.
“We also work with dried natural materials, and we have a very emblematic artist, Ernesto Cao, well-known both in Cuba and abroad for his feather art,” explained Antonio Enrique Pérez Marrero, president of the ACAA in Matanzas.
Woodworking, fibercraft, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, and marine-based works are some of the artistic expressions on display from December 6th to 21st at FIART.
“I’ve participated in several editions of FIART, in 2015 and 2019, and now I’m back with my specialty, which is working with seeds and fiber. My forte is making bags from fiber—banana, jute—with braids made from malangueta or yagua palm. Everything is hand-sewn; nothing is glued. The embellishments are also sewn on,” says María del Rosario García.
“This piece was designed for the 2025 Awards Hall and won the Popularity Award. The ACAA (Argentine Association of Artisans and Crafts) invited several artisans to bring some of the pieces that had won awards throughout the year, and this was one of the selected works. The piece is called The Legacy of the Hours and deals with the emancipation of women, playing with the concept of time.”
“There are many artisans participating. I’m here today, but other artisans will come to the stand on subsequent days to interact with the public,” said Yasmany García Medina.
“We are very happy to be at the Fair. Our products are excellent, affordable, and accessible to the public. We uphold a family tradition that my son, my husband, and I share; there are five of us in total.
“We love our work because it supports us financially, and at the same time, we help people because we also make useful items. All the products we work with are elements that the sea naturally provides,” said Maribel Peña Casas.
Regarding the significance of dedicating the 27th edition of FIART to the province of Matanzas, Pérez Marrero added:
“For AXAA to have Matanzas chosen as the guest province at FIART has been a great honor. I believe this is the most fitting stage to showcase the work of our Association.
“It is a gift for the Association and also a much-needed recognition and event. It’s important that FIART continues to exist because it truly is the platform where the work of our creators can be displayed. FIART 2025 is a celebration for everyone.”
This Tuesday saw the first session of the FIART 2025 theoretical event, featuring presentations by three artisans from Matanzas. Luis Octavio Hernández, founder of the Palma group and recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, discussed the Riveras Río San Juan Cultural Corridor project; Emilio O’Farril Almendariz addressed the symbolic universe of Afro-descendants in crafts; and Alexander Rodríguez Castellanos spoke about Cuba along the Silk Road.
On the 11th, the exhibition «Cosas de Agustín,» featuring pieces by Agustín Drake Aldama and the presentation of his book, will take place at the Collage Habana gallery. The public will also be able to enjoy the fashion show «Intimidad ofrendada» by Juan Carlos Jiménez Huerta.
Written by Jessica Mesa.
