Next to the Maspalomas Lighthouse, and until next Sunday the 17th, the exhibition continues to allow you to discover and purchase the creations of 73 artisans who take care of each piece in detail and have turned this emblematic environment into a showcase of centuries-old trades.
Live craft exhibits and musical performances will continue to liven up the afternoons and evenings of this tourist resort in the south of the island this weekend.
The Gran Canaria Verano Sur Craft Fair will remain open until next Sunday, August 17th, combining sunsets in the privileged setting of the Maspalomas Lighthouse with the three tents set up next to one of the island's most iconic sites, where artisan hands continue to weave stories that can still be experienced firsthand. There are four days left until the 18th edition of this summer event, a unique opportunity to discover the meticulous work of Gran Canarian artisans. The exhibition features a total of 73 master craftspeople who showcase their creations and products, while conveying their passion for their trades.
Every afternoon, from 17:00 PM to 23:00 PM, residents and visitors can discover the authenticity of blacksmithing, ceramics, leatherwork, and fashion made in Gran Canaria, where ancient crafts such as basketry find their place alongside contemporary offerings that connect with tradition. This is an opportunity to take home an object that has undergone a careful creation process and is a legacy of ancient crafts.
One of the main attractions of this edition is its Live Crafts section, where unique pieces are created every day. As Virginia González, the spinner who led this initiative on August 8, the fair's opening day, explained: "What I do here is transmit knowledge live and without words. In a time when everything has been said, but little has been done, I like people to see the process and be curious to continue this wonderful task."
This philosophy makes each visit a unique experience, where, in addition to the opportunity to purchase products with the FEDAC guarantee, you can also enjoy and learn about the production process. Other masters have also shared their knowledge in this space since opening day. The experience continued with demonstrations of lacework, felting, rush basketry, pottery, and embroidery, highlighting what is handmade with care and dedication.
Over the coming days, the activities included in the Gran Canaria Craft Fair will continue to take place at the Lighthouse, uniting indigenous cultural elements. Specifically, today, Thursday the 14th, Josefa Peña will showcase the delicacy and skill of embroidery; tomorrow, Friday the 15th, Eloísa Peña will teach how to turn rye into functional art; on Saturday the 16th, Manuel González will reveal the secrets of traditional cutlery; and on Sunday the 17th, Gustavo Santana will close this series with the art of stonemasonry.
Music will also continue to be a key element in the event's liveliness, with a performance this Friday the 15th, starting at 20:00 p.m., by the duo formed by Zaida Jiménez and Juan Sebastián Ramírez. At the same time on Saturday the 16th, the folk trio made up of Alberto González, Iván Quintana, and Juan Sebastián Ramírez will close out the penultimate day of the fair.
This edition welcomed seven new artisans. All of the newcomers were women, confirming the vitality and prominent female presence in the sector. Their testimonies reflect diverse expectations, but with a common thread: creating authentic connections with an audience that appreciates their work and with their colleagues, in addition to marketing their products, an essential objective for the continuation of these trades.
Among the emerging artisans, Alejandra Carpio, a candle maker and creator of the Sinergyale brand, finds the fair "an enriching experience for making myself known, enjoying the exchange with other artisans, and bringing my work to new audiences."
Florencia Hinze, a ceramist at Flo Cerámica, particularly appreciates "the opportunity to showcase my creative process and connect with clients seeking unique pieces with a history." Meanwhile, Isabel María Peña, a fashion designer specializing in products for children at Frijolito Canarias, emphasizes that "the prime location and afternoon hours create the perfect atmosphere for visitors to discover the island's rich craftsmanship."
For their part, the fair's more veteran voices provide a complementary perspective. For Alberto Javier Lorenzo, a jeweler with almost four decades of experience, "each exhibition is a door that opens to future projects and collaborations; here we don't just sell, we build relationships."
Pedro Conde, a toy artisan specializing in pieces that come to life through physics, without batteries or electricity, emphasizes that "holding the fair here is a success, right by the sea, and the afternoon schedule works very well, with a large audience, both tourists and locals."
Ricardo Parra, a macramé expert who has been participating in FEDAC fairs for nine years, notes that "this is the best place for us to work as artisans. Tourists appreciate the craftsmanship, and locals come for the weekend. It's the best showcase we can have." For him, last year was "one of the best fairs" and he's confident this year will maintain the same level of success.
This summer event, organized by Infecar Feria de Gran Canaria and promoted by the Cabildo (Island Council) through the Fund for Ethnography and the Development of Canarian Crafts (FEDAC), attached to the Ministry of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Crafts, brought together professionals from 21 different trades from 16 municipalities in Gran Canaria, confirming that craftsmanship remains alive in every corner of the island.
With free admission, this initiative offers the opportunity to discover the story behind each piece that contributes to the preservation of a tradition, and each purchase supports the continuation of trades that represent the cultural and historical heritage of Gran Canaria.
More information: www.feriasartesaniagrancanaria.es
