During May and June 2025, the HD communities in Juan de Acosta, Valledupar, Santa Marta, and Algarrobo took part in a series of art workshops that blended tradition, creativity, and personal development. Organized by Factor-H, these activities aimed to strengthen manual skills, stimulate creativity, and provide participants with a meaningful experience of self-expression.
Four Artistic Workshops: Each with a Unique Focus, United by a Common Goal
In total, four artistic training workshops were held, each with a different focus but united by a shared purpose: to revalue handmade work as a tool for identity, empowerment, and collective well-being. The participants all came from HD families, who are seeking personal and professional development.
Embroidered Brooches: Small Symbols of Identity
The workshop held in Juan de Acosta focused on the creation of personalized, embroidered, and beaded brooches. Through hand embroidery techniques and the use of beads, sequins, and other embellishments, participants crafted unique pieces that reflected their personal style. This space encouraged focus, patience, and collaborative work, positively impacting 25 participants, 80% of whom enrolled actively.
Bracelets with Spiritual Meaning
In Valledupar, a workshop centered on the creation of beaded bracelets with scapulars was conducted, integrating jewelry-making techniques with a deep symbolic meaning. Each participant crafted an accessory that combined aesthetics and spirituality, allowing for a connection between the manual and the transcendental. With 85% attendance among registered participants, the workshop became an intimate and enriching space for 20 individuals.
Beaded Card Holders: Handmade Elegance
The city of Santa Marta hosted the “Alma de Perla” (Soul of Pearl) workshop, dedicated to creating card holders using pearl beading techniques. Inspired by contemporary trends in artisanal fashion, this space allowed for the exploration of textures, patterns, and precise use of materials. With 80% of registered participants attending, attendees designed sophisticated and functional pieces, reaffirming the value of artisanal craftsmanship.
Fabric Painting: Tote Bags as Creative Canvases
In Algarrobo, the “Make Your Tote Bag” workshop offered participants the opportunity to transform a simple fabric bag into a personalized work of art. Through brushstrokes, color, and basic textile painting techniques, attendees brought their ideas to life on a practical everyday accessory. With an 80% participation rate, the workshop engaged 25 beneficiaries, strengthening their connection to art and design.
Results and Collective Impact
The four artistic experiences brought together a total of 90 beneficiaries, mostly women from HD families. These spaces, promoted by Factor-H, demonstrated that art not only beautifies—it also heals, unites, and transforms. In each workshop, handmade creation became a tool for empowerment, allowing participants to reconnect with their abilities, their history, and their community. Future work will expand these workshops to provide financial opportunities for these families.
English 
Español 
Português do Brasil