Creating Beauty with the Hands

Located opposite the Plaza de Armas, the Handicrafts Market in Coyhaique has 25 very well organized stalls that invite tourists to come along and see the various legitimately handmade products displayed there for sale in just a few minutes. Wool, leather, stone, pottery and wood from the southern forest are gathered there everyday to acquire various artistic forms. As visitors go along the corridors of the venue, they may stop and watch how the laborious hands of local artists are engaged in giving shape to the raw materials until they are transformed into a handmade product. The members of this particular market struggle to obtain some kind of acknowledgement that may let them strengthen their trade. They have been at the service of regional tourism for eighteen years, commercializing items labeled with a distinctive sign from Patagonia.

Walking around the market and feeling the folklore around it, the various aromas and the hubbub of the local craftsmen is an entire experience. The various creations intend to represent the regional identity and it is the task of its authors to make us feel convinced. The work of craftsmen from places such as Puyuhuapi, Puerto Cisnes, Puerto Aisén, Puerto Ibáñez, Chile Chico and Cochrane converge in this market. We found some works woven in the loom, such as garments made with sheep wool and carpets. Likewise, the Puerto Ibáñez pottery items, sold in bulk, also stand out along with the frames made with lenga wood, works made with fish leather, petroglyphs, pieces of furniture, wicker items, key rings and hundreds of products carved in wood and leathers. “In addition to nice handicrafts, there are some very tasty delicacies to try and to buy as gifts”, an old lady told us as she pointed some bottles of handmade liqueur and some pies and cakes made with cream and regional jam. The Coyhaique Handicrafts Market is open everyday and looks forward to the coming of tourists who wish to acquire some of the hundreds of products offered there. We recommend a tour around this place when visiting the city.