Artesanas Mexicanas
Artesanas Mexicanas were an all woman master-apprentice group based in Southeast Baltimore and cultural bearers of Latin American, predominantly of Mexican descent. Recruited and directed by Maria Gabriela Aldana, four women from Patterson Park Public Charter School's Mis Raices program and Friends of Patterson Park's Dia de los Ninos festival would serve as master artisans. The collective honored Latin American identity and heritage by creating multiyear programs to demonstrate, share, and teach folkloric living traditions.
Known for traditional pinata making and Posada processions by 2012, the women were called to host workshops, presentations, and serve as visiting artists at schools, universities, churches, galleries, block parties, and festivals. They expanded their programs to reach 5,000 youth and community members a year by 2019.
The intergenerational team of women taught bilingual piñata making, papel picado, Day of the Dead altar making, corn husk flowers, and met weekly to dream and plan their work in their native language. As immigrant artists, they paved the way for many other groups including today’s "Artesanas" at Creative Alliance.