Valdivia - Summer Course in Mapuche silver jewelry desiign and fabrication
Photos by Don and Lois Porter
1/15/2006

The Extension Division of the University Austral offered 28 summer courses during the week of January 9-13, 2006. Don and Lois attended a 2 day (8 hour) course on the “History of Art in Europe”. Lois attended a 5 day (15 hour) course on Mapuche Silver Jewelry. The Mapucghe are an indigenous group in Chile famed for their unique silver work. Egidio Pavez, the instructor, is not a Mapuche, but he is committed to reviving the craft of Mapuche silversmithing. The first photo shows him demonstrating the use of a “laminating” tool. The second shows examples of his handiwork. Later photos display the students’ efforts, including Lois’s version of a “Pimpin”, or Mapuche ancestor. The final evening there was a closing ceremony and celebration – classes showed the results of their efforts. The Belly Dance class gave a short performance. The final photos show Lois’s pendant up close, and modeled by Lois.

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060113-203714IMG_2115.jpg         060115-073618CRW_0451.jpg         060115-090742CRW_0465.jpg        

Back to Chile 2006 album