Rug Money: How a Group of Maya Women Changed Their Lives through Art and Innovation

by Cheryl Conway-Daly, Mary Anne Wise, Joe Coca (Photographer)

Recognizing the dire need for more income-generating opportunities for Maya women in Guatemala, an accomplished American textile artist volunteered to teach one rug-hooking class. What follows is a surprising and heartening story about artistry, creative economies, and how access to opportunity truly does change lives. At the heart of Rug Money is the work of artist Mary Anne Wise and her committed team at Multicolores, the rug-hooking nonprofit they formed in Guatemala. In a moving narrative, Mary Anne describes how she created a curriculum for teaching art and design based on her Maya students' needs and abilities, while honoring their culture, and how they later brought their rugs to the famed International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe to much acclaim and successful sales. Rug Money celebrates the extraordinary achievement of Multicolores in creating community, education, and empowerment. While there was no business plan at the outset, the success of Multicolores serves as a model for how to organize and advance a nonprofit while effecting powerful social change.

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2018

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book interested me on so many levels. Using their cultural artistic heritage and newly taught skills in rug hooking, art, and design, Guatemalan women of Maya heritage improved their lives economically and personally. With the income from sales of their rugs, their family’s quality of life was impacted, affording home improvements and education for children. Family dynamics were affected, motivating family members to share household workloads to allow the women to work on their rugs. The women gained confidence and self-esteem. Plus, they employed used clothing for rug making, an environmentally positive impact.

The book shares the story of the project from its inception, explaining the process of teaching the women basic skills through critique groups to teacher training.

The women’s individual stories of artistic growth are followed, inspirational stories that will warm your heart.

They women found design inspiration all around them. One woman said she couldn’t sleep at night, thinking of ideas for rugs. Another followed a woman to memorize a design in her clothing. The stories reminded me of my early years as a quilter when quilt ideas filled

They participated in the International folk Art Market in Santa Fe, their rugs selling out. Customers love the unique hand crafted designs.

It all began when a weaver envisioned a trunk show of Guatemalan textiles and went on collection trips. To expand on the products demanded by the export market, Mary Ann Wise was inspired to teach rug hooking, which involves a minimum of supplies, but was not a part of the indigenous culture. The women were grateful and more classes were planned.

The women had to travel long distances for their training, carrying their supplies in bundles. They had family responsibilities and children and needed their family’s support to take time away. But the money they earned was significant, and husbands gained respect for their wives and supported their craft.

It is a beautiful book, filled with gorgeous photographs of the rugs. It is a wonderful tribute to the persistence of these women who changed their lives.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and am so glad that weaving friend Beth recommended it. It tells the story of how the art of rug hooking was introduced to indigenous women in Guatemala and the impact it had on their lives.

The book threads several main themes together: artistry, self-reliance, creative re-use, and financial security. If you're interested in pedagogy and/or cross-cultural communication, you will find much to interest you. I found the sections on how white North American women approached teaching this craft to indigenous Guatemalan women to be fascinating - many lessons had to be approached quite differently than they are in typical workshops in the U.S. and Europe. The women also applied some of these lessons to their home lives, with results that often yielded new respect from their husbands and mothers, more equal housework, and improved household finances. Just as importantly, the project helped the women develop identities as artists and providers and grow into a different type of role model for their children.

Profiles of different artisan groups (from different villages) and individual artists infuse the entire work with inspiration and hope. And the photography is gorgeous - it is fascinating to see the rug hooking medium interpreted through Guatemalan sensibilities.

This book will appeal to folks who aren't even interested in rug hooking as a craft!

[Elizabeth R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just skimmed this thoroughly researched, carefully written and brilliantly illustrated (with many clear and personal color photographs) story of the rise of a certain kind of hooked rug (not the craft popular from time to time, with short pieces of yarn, but a much more sophisticated art form involving long strips of fabric, laboriously looped into intricate original designs) among the Mayan women of Guatemala. Again, I didn't read it for detail but only on a loan, more to look at the images of the rugs, the people, and their clothing, in this contemporary context. I believe the writers are skilled artists and teachers of the various rug hooking and textile crafts, and they worked with women of many villages to build their skills and also the necessary marketing and distribution networks.

This is a beautiful and well made book, and could hold its own among more expensive art and coffee-table books.

(I came across it while following various themes that emerged when I started looking into IxChel and culture.)

[Carie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am traveling to Guatemala in February on a rug hooking tour where I will get a chance to see these women in person and to learn more about this worthy non-profit that is helping to empower ladies in poor rural areas of Guatemala. I so admire the women who founded Multicolores and are helping women and families in powerful ways. The book includes many personal stories, and also details how the program has evolved. You can read more about Multicolores here: https://www.facebook.com/multicolores...

[Jane Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful books tells the story of how a small group of talented textile artists, shared their craft with Guatemalan women, as a means of providing them with an income source coupled with artistic fulfillment. The magic of the story is in the explanation of how the artists taught groups of illiterate woman how to become master rug -hooking artists. As a special education teacher I was so impressed by the ways in which the teachers met individual needs, always respecting inherent abilities and culture.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and uplifting about Guatemalan women who have become successful artisans after learning how to design and hook rugs using strips of material from used clothing.
Heartwarming stories and great photos of the women and their creations are within.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about an incredible organization, strong and brilliant women artists, and the gorgeous art they create! I have one of Multicolores' rugs, and it is so beautiful. I'd recommend reading this book just for the beautiful photos, if nothing else!