Stitching Culture into Business with Santa Ana Embroidery Group

This morning, a group of talented women from San Joaquin Village, Corozal stepped into a new chapter of creativity and economic independence. The National Institute of Culture and History, together with the Institute of Creative Arts, held a special certificate ceremony and opened an exhibit honoring the Santa Ana Cultural Sewing and Embroidery Group. These women have been turning their traditional embroidery skills into sustainable livelihoods, and today, seven of them were recognized for completing training in modern sewing and embroidery techniques. It’s a proud moment that blends culture, craftsmanship, and empowerment. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there and brings us the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Ana Marie Herstig is all smiles today, wearing a blouse she completed by herself in just two days. She’s been sewing for years, but this blouse is different because she utilized the new skills she’s gained through an embroidery and sewing machine training program.  She tells us how excited she was to participate in the program.

 

Ana Marie Herstig, Artist

“They told us that we are going to learn about the machine, the embroidery machine, and I said, oh, I love that. Because if I started one, I have to continue with the other one. I really like it. I made my own blouse two days. Everything is okay. I like the embryo and I wish I can have more to make.”

 

In San Joaquin Village, the Santa Ana Cultural Sewing and Embroidery Group, made up mostly of older women, has turned lifelong sewing skills into a new business venture. What once was done out of necessity is now fueling entrepreneurship. Today, their vibrant handmade pieces are on display at the Museum of Belizean Art at the Belize City House of Culture. Exhibit curator Gilvano Swasey says the project is stitching together not just fabric, but a stronger creative community in Belize.

 

Gilvano Swasey, Exhibit Curator

“I have other artists who are very involved. I know last year they gave out some grants for a lot of young entrepreneurs and you have people making bags, eco bags, but then a bag that like ten or twenty dollars, but you put a nice piece of embroidery, you take it up to the next level. So I have fashion designers, right? I have bag makers, I have, how can I say? Even some of the pottery and the craft people, they want to see how they can evolve and adding new art to it. They’re talking amongst each other. And the beauty of that is that one, one artist might have fifty followers, one have sixty, but when they come together you have one hundred ten followers. I think there’s a lot of potential.”

 

The training, funded by the Institute of Creative Arts, was initially set for three months but was extended to six due to its popularity. According to Herstig, it wasn’t too difficult for her to adapt.

 

Ana Marie Herstig

“Not really, because I’m used to use the machine. I used to sew only that the embroidery is a little bit different to handle the stitches. But now I think I handle it now. I’m proud  I did this because only that I used to do, but now I can do more better.”

 

Swasey says that even though the program has wrapped up, the women are still energized and pushing for another six months. He adds that interest keeps growing as more women want to join.

 

Gilvano Swasey

“These ladies will form their own group. We have a younger group who’s gonna learn their skill, but these ladies will go advance. And what, like I said, I’m trying to have them hook up with other artists. So the opportunities, open exhibits fashion events. Trade shows.”

 

All pieces featured in the exhibit were available for purchase and the participants promise more exciting projects in the future. Britney Gordon for News Five.