2021 Highlights: Anecdotes and Reflections
On this occasion, your admin, Daniela, brings you a glimpse of what 2021 has been like for Arte Formosa.
One of the goals I set for myself after my return to Honduras was to take advantage of the opportunity to attempt larger activities that would allow me to move forward with this project and develop the business model I have planned.
Among the many plans was the idea of joining a bazaar. Initially, I thought of looking for an event already planned so that I could participate and present the art products I had brought from Taiwan; but my surprise was that either I didn't have the right contacts or I was rejected because I was offering products "from outside". I kept asking until one day thanks to a good person I had the opportunity to exchange messages with Kitsune HN, who recommended me the café/bar Cata de Vinos in Tegucigalpa and said: "Why don't you consider creating your own event and invite other entrepreneurs?"... And BANG!, the engine in my brain went into turbo mode! Although I had considered it, I was really afraid to take the risk, but having received someone else's suggestion was what I needed to say to myself: "If no event is going to accept me, then I'll make my own!"
That's how I started to organize everything: the theme, how many people, logistics, what kind of entrepreneurs and who, and so on. You don't know the stress involved in organizing an event of this type alone (no seriously, I even drank energy drinks after several months clean), but I have to thank the people who gave me advice and support during the process. With all of the above, the "è²·è²·å¸‚å ´ MÇŽi mÇŽi Bazar" was born; the day before the event I only slept 2 hours because I was imagining the worst: "what if it goes wrong? what if people don't show up?" I thought about everything bad that could happen! But, to my surprise... Everything went very well. I can't tell you the excitement and joy I felt when people started arriving, when I saw people passing by the entrepreneurs' tables, talking to them and getting to know their products, when people approached me to talk about the event, the materials I had for sale and my experience in Taiwan; I was seeing the harvest of something I had worked so hard on.
For the second "è²·è²·å¸‚å ´ MÇŽi mÇŽi Bazaar- Pre-Christmas Edition", I already had a bit more experience; but there was also the desire to do something different and a bit bigger. I invited more entrepreneurs and came up with a couple of dynamics inspired by Taiwanese night markets. The days before the event, a part of me thought: "Why are you doing this alone? It's so complicated!" The fact is that there are certain difficulties when doing this type of activities that can be frustrating and even more so when you don't have all the necessary resources - if a cultural organisation or an Arab millionaire is reading me: please help!- However, it is in such situations when creativity is used to find solutions or alternatives and overcome them.
At the second bazaar, my expectations were higher, although there were many things I couldn't do, the event went very well and something very interesting happened: various entrepreneurs approached me to find out how to participate. This is where I take the opportunity to make a small note; although I would like to be able to say yes to all of them, being only one person and having limited space, it is very difficult. To this, I must add that the vision of this initiative is focused, for the moment, on artistic enterprises and that is why the priority are those emerging and young entrepreneurs, who use new techniques or have sustainable business models. To a certain extent and for the good of the initiative, participants must be carefully curated or selected (this is part of Arte Formosa's business strategy, but I won't tell you more because- that is a secret!) I really hope that 2022 will allow me to give space to more participants and create more inclusive activities.
(I know I'm taking too much time, but I have to take advantage of these opportunities to tell you my stories) Apart from the bazaars, we did our first charity collection of art supplies. I like the idea of collecting used and new art materials for schools in need so stay tuned because it will be something that I hope will happen frequently. And we can't forget the interviews that, although few, serve as a basis for future content, as well as the online activities that are also an alternative to promote art.
As a final thought, all this happened in a very short period of time, I took away a lot of lessons and I feel more prepared for future challenges. I will never get tired of thanking the support given to the events, the nice words and messages, the interest and good vibes of the entrepreneurs, a special mention to Laura from Cata de Vinos for listening to my crazy ideas and opening her space to make these events happen. I don't know what will happen in 2022, but rest assured that, while I can, I will do my best to make this initiative a bigger community, to continue promoting and celebrating Honduran artistic talent and the creative industry.
See you in 2022
- Daniela Armijo