The Indian Church Village Artisans Initiative
The ICVAI is an arts-based
community development and enhancement program in Belize, Central America.
The primary goal of the program is to help secure sustainable livelihoods
and economic well being to residents of Indian Church village in the Orange Walk
District of northern Belize. The
program is carried out by fostering the production of metal jewelry and other
specialized craft skills. Craft
pieces are made by artisans in Indian Church, many of whom are inspired by the
ancient designs of the precolumbian Maya residents of the nearby archaeological
site of Lamanai.
Specific
Goals of the ICVAI are to:
1)
Promote
metalworking, ceramic production, and other craft specialization skills
developed by conducting the following training programs:
9 workshops in metalworking, 5 in ceramic production, and 1 in casting;
scheduled weekly training and practice sessions in Indian Church Village; at
varying times this will be available to some 1,400 residents of Indian Church,
San Carlos and San Felipe;
and participation in an exchange program for viable workshop and
development projects within other communities and throughout Belize.
2)
Develop small business training programs to teach necessary skills of
computer use for
purchasing and ordering supplies, marketing of artwork, pricing, and overall
management of their work.
3)
Foster development and long-term collaboration with various agencies of
the Government
of Belize (GOB) and other non-government organizations including but not limited
to Lamanai Field Research Center, Ministry of Tourism, Department of
Archaeology, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Human Development, British High
Commissioner, Magana’s Art Center, Inter-American Foundation, and Peace Corp.
4)
Develop education and ecotourism opportunities directly linked to the
success of the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, community enhancement, academic
research, and to encourage
complementary enterprise and management cooperation without damage to
the natural and cultural environment.
5)
Provide information and develop manuals regarding ancient Maya and
Mesoamerican techniques
of craft manufacturing and decoration in order to facilitate transfer of design
information from archaeological contexts to crafts production contexts.
6)
Help preserve and protect the ancient Maya cultural resources at Lamanai
for the use and development of the designs utilized by ICVA.
7)
Preparation and submission of documentation for establishment of a
Non-Government
For more information on the Indian Church Village Artisan's Initiative please
contact Ms. Karen Pierce at
kp2ev19@speedtrail.net
Brenda Arevalo, Darby Simmons, Camden Simmons and Maricruz at work in the Craft Center, Indian Church, Belize. July 2004
Ms. Laura Howard and Ms. Meredith Martinez putting finishing
touches on new Indian Church Village Artisan's Shop at Lamanai Site Centre.
June 9, 2004