THE PROJECT

Structure of the Organization

Looms and Threads Codemtatssa is structured in a multi tiered fashion according to the Association model. The top tier is composed of the Junta Directiva, which is the board of directors. With the exception of the Coordinator, who is a long term North American resident of Santiago, all the members of the board are Tzutujil women. Five of the six Tzutujil women on the board are women from the affected community of Panabaj/Tzanchaj/The shelters. The second tier is made up of the representatives of each group. The representatives number 15. They are all from the affected areas mentioned above, in addition to the secondary affected areas of the mudslides on the north side of town. The third tier is the individual women in each group. All are from the affected areas, percentage corresponding to how hard hit each area was. The groups are based on specialty of technique as well as proximity of residence. Periodically the representatives meet with their members. The board meets weekly and the representatives meet 1-2 times a month or more frequently if there are important decisions to be made. Decisions are made democratically.

Distribution of Materials

Since its beginning in Oct 2005, Codemtatssa/ Looms and Threads have distributed weaving equipment, and supplies to 760 women who were affected by the mudslides of Hurricane Stan. Our programs have included thread packages for an initial huipil, a second set of two lengths of fabric to sell, a huipil for the daughters, thread for the classes, and thread for the women which did not participate in the classes. Several thousands of pounds of thread have gone out to the women. The project has also distributed a total of 300 sets of warping boards and spinning wheels to the women, 720 sets of medium sized back strap looms, 50 sets of specialty larger back-strap looms, and approximately 30 sets of specialty small back-strap looms. A wide spectrum of class supplies have also been distributed, depending on the technique; including art, sewing, and embroidery supplies. The goal is to support the women in the recovery of at risk textile art techniques.

Additionally, school supplies, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene products, and vitamins have been distributed to the women in the groups, and school supplies, furniture and equipment to the public schools of Panabaj and Tzanchaj.

Classes

Looms and Threads The class program was designed bearing in mind the model of an art school for textiles. With emergency funds from Pueblo a Pueblo, and various organizations as well as reconstruction funds from Oxfam G.B. Codemtatssa set out to create a program which would support the women as artists all the while supporting the recovery of the back strap weaving tradition in the previously marginalized and recently devastated community of Panabaj. There were technique classes for the weavers, embroiderers, and finishers, as well as sewing and pattern making classes for the women who normally were beaders or weavers on the foot loom. The sewing program is a 14 month program. We felt that we could provide training support for the women regardless of their specialty or experience, and these could be complimentary techniques later on, when the women began producing goods for sale. The weaving techniques were the primary focus, ranging from the simplest, to techniques of their grandmothers, to medium difficulty, to the most complex of the figures produced in the Tzutujil tradition. We offered classes in working with different thickness, from very thin to very thick, different textures, longer and wider weaving, and classes using a variety of materials. We were able to offer classes in Jaspe dyeing and weaving, which is another at risk tradition. We have a natural dyes program, with monthly workshops using fruits, plants and trees found locally, domestically, and in other regions. We taught a 12 week course in drawing and design for the embroiderers, and a six month course in color theory open to all the women. There have been classes in marketing, and production with an eye on larger markets.

Design and Product Development

Codemtatssa seeks to combine the old with the new, preserving the traditional techniques while supporting the women with formal art principles which transcend cultural orientation so that they may interpret them within their own cultural context in their design work. The resulting designs are matched to appropriate products which are desirable in the international market.

Distribution of Materials for Production

The project has distributed hundreds of pounds of thread for production. The materials and colors of thread correspond to the most desirable textile designs which were produced by the women. The women are paid each month for their investment of labor, and the project then sells the results, reinvesting the capital into the project.

Sales

Codemtatssa has begun to offer the products for sale, and to fill orders, both from our developed designs and in conjunction with the needs of the client. The reception has been extremely positive and we are enthusiastically embracing the next phase of marketing their exquisite art.

telephone: ++502 1111 2222