An Artful Store For A Cause

Some of the children in Arte Del Mundo afterschool program hugging a volunteer.

It wasn't that long ago that two young women, Monica Mueller and Bryn Merrell, set off on a venture. They wanted to make an impact, specifically on youth, and they wanted to use art as vehicle for empowerment. So, off they set to country of Ecuador, and found their way to the city of Banos, where FUNDACION ARTE DEL MUNDO runs a free afterschool program. It aims to promote artistic expression and literacy and became the place where these young women volunteered for two months.

One day, when Monica was shopping, she noticed a man outside a shop where leather bags were being sold. She found out that the man was a local artisan, and an idea began to develop. What if they created an online store that could sell artistic and useful items to a larger public? And so, an entrepreneurial idea was born. The advantage that such a store would present, would include being able to tell the story of the artisans and the pieces that they would design and make. For, that is how the young women planned to present the items and those who created them. The name chosen for this venture is ARTFUL VENTURE.



The women continued on their journey through other parts of South America, meeting more artisans. Then in October of 2013, the website went live, from a cafe in Peru. By the spring of 2014, Monica and Bryn had established a home base in San Francisco.

But that isn't the entire story. The goal was still to show a value from artistic products, to be able to utilize art as a means of empowerment. So, of course, the store had to make a profit, while showcasing the works of their artisans to a wider audience. The profits go to Arte Del Mundo for supplies and new books. This allows more youth to participate in their programs. Among the programs that this organization provides is an afterschool arts center, a children's library, and a theater program. All of these programs help the children discover themselves and their own talents. They can do this in an environment in which there are no pressures and no wrong answers. In a sense, they empower the next generation.

Bryn on the latest trip to Guatemala. That's a camera strap from Artful Ventures.

So, as Monica summarizes, "We want to continue to uplift Ecuadorian youth through creative expression through our partnership with Arte Del Mundo, to support socially responsible consuming by creating a connection from the artisan's story to the consumer." So, when you purchase one of the products from Artful Ventures, you are supporting the artisan and a future artisan. You also receive an artistic and useful product, that has a back story, and even can become the focus of conversation.

The clutch is being sold on Artistic Ventures.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/monica-mueller-bryn-merrell-artful-venture/; and the above links.

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