|
|
| About Us The Popular Arts Foundation started as a community project designed to promote the popular arts and to create the channels to promote the artisan's artwork. Most of the our artisans are first generation Hispanics who are planning to expand our activities to other cultural areas within the city; hoping to include, in the near future, popular art activities from other parts of the world. Our foundation offers on-site popular art workshops and exhibitions throughout the Los Angeles County and nearby areas. Our Founder:  Hello! My name is Francisco Fraide . I was born in the beautiful State of Michoacan, Mexico, in a small town called La Angostura. I migrated to the United States many years ago and I made this country my permanent place to live. People here in Los Angeles, gave me a warm welcome and understood my mission in reference to the popular arts. I want to emphasize the importance of preserving our cultural customs and maintain our cultural identity more than ever. I truly believe that the practice of artistic activities works in an important way in our communities by helping individuals identify themselves with their own cultural heritage. The practice of art, either fine or popular (folk) not only has cultural benefits but also has a termedous psychological benefit in the human mind. Our local goverments knows the importance of offering art programs to our communities but are limited by the budget crisis that all of us have experienced in recent years. Art and sports programas should be an essential part of our lifes, especially for children and young adults. Art activities should be included in school curriculums and after-school programs. These programs are not only beneficial for a good academic performance, but also break cultural barriers that most of the time are the cause of dificulties between ethnic groups and even within the nucleus of our families. I learned the English language the best I could and I've tried to acculturate myself as much as possible to the American culture without forgetting my own Hispanic heritage. I'm 38 years old but somehow being an artisan, makes me feel much younger. That's one psychological benefit of practicing art ! I would like to mention the support of all of my friends and family members interested in preserving our cultural heritage through the popular arts, especially the Los Angeles County Public Library System where I have met many amazing people. A special thanks to my Grand Father amd my Mother for teaching me everything that they knew about our traditions and customs; and to my son Panchito for being so patient with me on our trips to art museums and local libraries. Our mission is to educate people about the im portance of recovering and keeping Popular Arts alive. We strongly believe that through art and education we could break the social and cultural barriers that are afflicting our society. There are no racial lines when it comes to art. Another long term goal is to open an arts and crafts center where artisans from the surrounding areas could come and have their own space and environment to express themselves through what they like and enjoy, arts and crafts! We are interested in teaching our future generations the magic and importance of exploring into artistic activities and the benefits and satisfactions that this will bring into their lives.
Aurelia is an extraordinary craftswoman, she makes sculptures using panty hose material, paper, marshmellow, seeds, metal sheets, little straw, and  whatever media becomes to her. She was born in the State of Morelos Mexico out of a low income family. She lived in Mexico City for many years were she managed to learn many hand craft activities; this was one important method of survival in a city were there was too many people and limited resources. She migrated to the U.S. many years ago and brought to her all the activities that she learned. She also learned many other activities in her child's school's parent center where many woman gathered together to create art and socialize with eachother. Being an artisan is not just an activity, is a whole philosophy, a way of living and caring for others. Look! It is very simple; an artisan will never drink, at least in excess, will never! never do drugs, will not be violent with others, will care for nature and life itself, will care for the conservation of our planet and what is perhaps the most important ability that they have, is the ability to feel and express their emotions through art; they become more sensitive towards other individuals and nature. | |
|