
Asociación Sukû Artistry
ORG by vio® presents the exquisite work of Asociación Sukû artisans of Cofán Dureno in the Ecuadorian Amazon. In partnership with Cofán artisans, designer Violeta Villacorta selects the most beautiful traditional jewelry and accessories, while co-creating stunning collections of modern handmade beaded fashions inspired by their ancestral artistry. Visit our Collection page to see the complete selection.

Awajún Artisans Artistry
ORG by vio® presents the exquisite work of Awajún artisans of Urakusa in the Peruvian Amazon. In partnership with Awajún artisans, designer Violeta Villacorta selects the most beautiful traditional jewelry and accessories, while co-creating stunning collections of modern handmade beaded fashions inspired by their ancestral artistry. Visit our Collection page to see the complete selection.

First visit to Urakusa
In July 2011 Designer Violeta Villacorta traveled to meet Awajún artisans in the Peruvian Amazon. Violeta was invited by the artisans to explore the possibility of working together to promote and sell their exquisite crafts, as well as co-design collections for a wide market, while remaining authentic to their traditions. A two-day stay in Urakusa marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership.

Emergildo on Clear Water
Emergildo featured here is a Cofán leader and key artisan in the Community of Cofán Dureno, Ecuador. He personally made a number of the samples in the collections made by Cofán artisans featured at ORG by vio® and soon to be sold at our online Shop. See their work in our Collections. The Clear Water project is a joint project by Amazon Watch and Rainforest Action Network.

Proyecto Cofán, Ecuador
La diseñadora Violeta Villacorta está trabajando con artesanas Cofán para promover sus artesanías y generar un sustento económico para la comunidad ~ una cultura y gente rica, quienes viven en harmonía con la Naturaleza. Este video relata su primera visita de una semana en Mayo 2010 y una segunda visita en Octubre 2010.

Return to Cofán Dureno IV
The last week, we went to FEINCE for papers and opened a bank account for the artisans with funds that were raised for the project in July; had more computer trainings in Lago Agrio, as internet service was not yet set up in the Dureno; bought the beautiful collections developed with the artisans; and ended with a beautiful walk to San Rafael Falls.

Return to Cofán Dureno III
This week the Arts & Crafts center got its own tables and chairs that the artisans ordered from a local carpenter; had computer trainings at the crafts center and in Lago Agrio, the nearest and biggest oil city in the Amazon; and ended the week with the inauguration of the Arts & Crafts center.

Return to Cofán Dureno II
Second week in the Cofán Community of Dureno, Ecuadorian Amazon, October 2010. Working in the Arts and Crafts center with borrowed tables and chairs from the school and reporting on the building of the Arts & Crafts center with funds raised with the help of a number of contributors by designer Violeta Villacorta

Return to Cofán Dureno I
Designer Violeta Villacorta travels back to the Cofán Community of Dureno in the Ecuadorian Amazon for a month in October 2010 to continue the creative project with Asociación Sukû artisans. First week of meetings, getting the Arts & Crafts Center ready for the artisans and a welcome celebration.

First time in Cofán Dureno
This video was made after the first trip to the Cofán Dureno community, where designer Violeta Villacorta met with Asociación Sukû artisans upon Emergildo Criollo's (former President of Cofán Dureno) invitation.

Gran Cofán Dureno
A beautiful journey with Cofán music and images of the San Rafael falls. Ecuador's highest waterfall, the world-famous San Rafael Falls, is threatened by the Coca Codo Sinclair Project to divert most of the water to generate hydroelectric power. Having secured a 1.7 billion dollar loan from China, construction has begun on the project.





