THE WORK OF ART
International Folk Art Alliance Campaign for World Artists
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF FOLK ARTISTS
Letter from my dear friend 
and sponsor Maya!
Dear Friend,
As a long-time supporter of the International Folk Art Alliance, it has been my great joy to sponsor an inspirational artist, Mukhayyo Aliyeva from Uzbekistan for the International Folk Art Market | Santa Fe. She is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word, and by sponsoring her participation in the Market, I’ve been able to join her on a journey of a lifetime.
Like you, I received stories and photos of artists needing support. Each artist’s story is unique, but I was drawn to Mukhayyo’s work, both for the beauty of her textiles and the impact she makes in her community. Having been an entrepreneur myself, her story resonated with me and I made a donation to help sponsor her for last year’s Market.
I first met Mukhayyo in Santa Fe on the morning of the artist training, where workshops on marketing, pricing, and artwork display help ensure success for sponsored artists. Even though she had just arrived, she enthusiastically shared her passion for the art form and her heart for the women artists she works with. From this sponsorship, a true friendship was born. I can’t wait to see her again this July!
Through your participation in Artist Sponsorship, you can join me in helping to bring first-time artists to the Market who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate. The cost of participation can be a barrier, but with support from sponsors, artists have the opportunity to earn life-changing income.
When I see the monumental success Mukhayyo experienced at the Market, I know I will continue to support first-time artists on their journey. This year, I’ll be sponsoring Mohamed El Maouloud Ag Hamid from Mali, who will be representing Association Timidwa, a cooperative of artists making beautiful jewelry and leatherwork.
So please, join me today by investing in the future of folk artists with a gift toward artist sponsorship. When you meet the artist you sponsor at the Market, you will see first-hand the impact of your support.
Every dollar, 100% of your donation, will go directly to programs for artists. Together we can transform communities, cultivate potential, and honor the humanity of the handmade.
With warmth,
Maya Pool
International Folk Art Alliance Donor
P.S. Be sure to make your gift online by June 1st to ensure you receive your donor ticket benefits and recognition at the Market. Gifts of $1,000 or more are recognized in the sponsored artist’s booth, and donations of $100 or more are listed in the annual Market Magazine.
Original publication can be found here.