Craftwork
The state of São Paulo has developed typical and peculiar craftwork that makes use of raw materials taken from the rainforest, and which is a blend of techniques brought by European colonizers and developed by the Brazilian native indians and black people, enriched by the cultural contribution from immigrants. The industrialization has originated a new kind of craftwork, the urban one: the recycling of industrial waste by craftsmen. Some regions, however, continue offering their traditional craftwork, such as the rustic, figurative, useful and historic ceramics from Apiaí, in Vale do Ribeira; and the craftwork from Vale do Paraíba, made of plant fibers and wood, with an oriental design. In the seaside region, the highlight is the craftwork made by the native indians (guaranis): vine and bamboo baskets, bow and arrow artefacts and musical instruments, using wood and fibers, among other materials. Other types of craftwork can be found in street markets in the capital and in the seaside and countryside regions, among which, the most distinguished ones are held at Praça da República, Liberdade and Embu.
With the aim of developing and preserving this type of art, the Government of the State of São Paulo founded an association of craftsman communities called Sutaco - Superintêndencia do Trabalho Artesanal das Comunidades - designed to help solve labor-related problems and to guide, execute and supervise the policy of absorbing marginalized labor force. Sutaco also coordinates Programa de Artesanato Brasileiro - PAB - (Program of Brazilian Craftwork), conceived by the Ministry of the Industry and Commerce Development to give support to the communities that manufacture and trade craftwork.
In February 2005, the number of craftsmen registered at SUTACO reached 36,400 people from all over the state, including the capital and 350 cities that cooperate with the program.
The Government established, by means of Law no. 7126 of 30/April/91, Dia do Artesão (Craftsmen Day), celebrated on March, 19.