Beautiful and unique treasures can be found in the Indigenous communities that surround Lake Patzcuaro. The villages and towns in this area have specialized certain crafts thanks to Father Quiroga who was sent by the catholic church in 1536, to defend and teach the Purepecha people self-sufficiency. Artists from the area bring their works to markets like the one in Patzcuaro, which is a well-known hub and a great place for all the artists to showcase their work while selling their pieces to the locals and to the many tourists that visit the town of Patzcuaro.
One of the most important days for the town of Patzcuaro is Oct 31-Nov 2 which has brought people from all over for years to celebrate “El Dia de los Muertos.” They have big Artisan Fairs around this time, they are well known and artists from the surrounding villages and beyond come to show their wares. Patzcuaro’s most prominent craft is wood , there are artisans that make the lacquer bateas Patzcuaro is known for with the gold edges and intricate painted designs as well as beautiful wood sculptures that incorporate Milagros. Uruapan sponsors an easter market similar to the one held in Patzcuaro for day of the dead. Uruapan is also known for its cedar lacquerware called Maque.
Santa Clara del Cobre was a thriving copper mining community. The artists stayed and continue to produce beautiful copper pieces. There are well over 100 workshops in the town that produce items like jewelry, vases, candle holders, bowls, decor for the home and other utilitarian items. Many of the workshops in town are open to the public where it’s possible to get a glimpse of what goes into creating a piece firsthand. Fun Fact: American Artist James Metcalf established a workshop in the town when he was commissioned to do the torch for the 1968 Olympic games and the jewelry that adorned the statue of liberty on her 100th anniversary.
Puacuaro is a small town that is home to reed crafts such as baskets, trays, place mats for hot pots or bowls, etc. The reeds that are used in these crafts are all taken from Lake Patzcuaro where they grow. There are tule reeds which are round, and they also use chuspata which are flatter. The Ascension Family have been in this region for generations and have since mastered the art of weaving. The Ascension family has created a community for women to be able to learn this craft from them and in return these ladies have a way to support themselves and their families.
The town of Jaracuaro is known for their hat workshops, these hats are highly sought after and are one of the finest in this region. The hats or sombreros as they call them are made up of palm tree leaves that have been braided and then sewn together by the artist to make the sombrero. Designs can be pressed into the piece to create a unique piece. Like all these artisan traditions this craft/way of life has been passed down for generations to keep this craft alive and well for years to come.
The town of Tocuaro is famous for its intricate and unique ceremonial masks. All the masks that are produced are done by hand from carving to the sanding and the painting. Every artist has their own individual way of carving, shaping, or painting their masks often going by a particular theme. These masks are usually created for use in ceremonial dances that are unique to the state of Michoacan. The dances and masks are a way for this community just like all the other artisans in the area to celebrate their state and all the beauty that Michoacan has to offer through their traditions and cultures.
