Twisted and colorfully painted wooden animals, some eccentric and all whimsical, were on display Friday and Saturday at the Western National Parks Association, where several other upcoming shows are planned.
Alongside the carvings were exquisite examples of handmade Mata Ortiz pottery from the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
The wooden Oaxacan carvings originate from the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HAWK-ka).
"It's a pre-holiday show and it was requested by a lot of people," said Scott Aldridge, chief operations officer at the parks association.
The next Indian craft show is scheduled for Oct. 30 and will showcase the work of the Tarahumara and Mayo people, he said.
It will feature masks, baskets, bowls, wooden spoons and drums and other miscellaneous instruments, Aldridge said.
People are also reading…
"These shows are our bread and butter for the (Parks Association) store in terms of annual sales," he said.
The shows also help out the artisans because the drop in tourism throughout Mexico has created an economic hardship for them, he said.
"Their livelihood is based on tourism and the decline is making it difficult for them to make a living," he said.
Two much bigger shows featuring Mata Ortiz pottery and Oaxacan carvings separately are scheduled for Jan. 28 and 29 and Feb. 11 and 12.
Contact A.E. Araiza at 573-4155 or araiza@azstarnet.com
