Colombian Designs - Expoartesanias 2008

Colombia's Wealth in Jewellery and Design on Show in Corferias

Dec 10, 2008

From December 4-17 all Corferias Conference Centre in Bogota is given over to exhibiting high quality Colombian and international art and design products.

From wood carvings from the southern jungles of the department of Guaviare to the unashamedly chic jewellery crafted in Bogota, Expoartesanias is a yearly event not to be missed by those keen on finding quality artwork from every corner of Colombia.

About Expoartesanias

Set up to promote Colombia's wares and to really provide a dynamic stimulant for the design sector in this country, Expoartesanias over the space of a few years has become the key exhibition of its type in Latin America.

With several large pavilions seemingly stocked to the rafters with indigenous weavings, curiosities from the Chocó, vuelteado hats from the Caribbean coast, baskets from the sierra, pottery from the interior and jewellery from the boutiques of Medellin, Cali and Bogota, Corferias becomes a shopper's paradise.

What's On Show at Expoartesanias

With a pavilion given over to promoting the craftwork and talent of people from indigenous and ethnic groups found through Colombia, perhaps this is the pick of the bunch. Here you can find small artisans from regions that remain unvisited such as Casanare, Arauca and Caquetá.

There is a real emphasis in the massive exhibition to ensure that the actual artists and craft-workers make it to the show and not the middlemen brokering the deal. So, here you can actually speak to the artist and find out about their product.

Jewellery Galore

Perhaps the busiest pavilion is that dedicated to jewellery and accessories. Independent operators get the chance to display some of their finest products in front of a multinational and discerning crowd. Here you can find the world-renowned Mompos filigree silver, bracelets fashioned from cattle horn, papier-mache trinkets and of course plenty of gold and emeralds.

Food and Drink

Should you make it to Corferias be sure to wander the pavilions before heading to the food court. While you can find the ubiquitous fast food joints you are better off taking your time and picking up snacks in the pavilions that range from specialities from al over Colombia. There are achiras from Huila, champus from Valle, spicy hot ajis from the Pacific coast.

Getting To Corferias

From the Candelaria Centro taking public transport is actually very straightforward. Head to Carrera 19 and wait for any bus, which has "Corferias", clearly labelled in its front window. In less than 20 minutes and for a mere 1,200 pesos ($0.75 cents) you can be at your destination trouble free.

Unfortunately the Transmilenio bendy bus system does not come close to Corferias so as an alternative catch a taxi. From downtown this should cost in the region of 7000 pesos ($3.50), possibly slightly more from North Bogota.

The copyright of the article Colombian Designs - Expoartesanias 2008 in Colombia Travel is owned by Richard McColl. Permission to republish Colombian Designs - Expoartesanias 2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.