Artisan Fund Spotlight: The Paper Birds Project in Galápagos
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions cares deeply about the planet and is proud to serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. In honor of Earth Month, throughout April we will be featuring unique stories that illustrate different facets of our commitment to responsible exploration—from sustainability and science to conservation and education. Here, learn more about the Artisan Fund and one recent, inspiring initiative supported by the Fund in Galápagos.
Launched in 2007, the Artisan Fund helps local artisans expand their skills at the nexus where tourism, conservation and handcraft development meet. Much more than just souvenirs, artisan goods are a reminder of the commitment National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions makes to preserve culture and support local communities in the places where the fleet explores and beyond.
Recently, the Artisan Fund hosted Indian artist Niharika Rajput in Galápagos to facilitate a hands-on workshop for 12 local artisans. Renowned for crafting detailed, realistic bird sculptures from paper, Niharika shared her knowledge and skills over five days, guiding everyone through the step-by-step process of building blue-footed booby sculptures from wastepaper, wire and clay.
The Paper Bird Workshop provided these artisans with the skills and tools to expand their product lines while growing the Artisan Fund’s Adaptive Reuse projects in the archipelago. Much like the paper-to-pearls workshop, projects like this continue the legacy of keeping waste out of landfills and offering important skill development that can lead to a livelihood for local families.
From Wastepaper to Artwork
Renowned Indian artisan Niharika Rajput joined us recently in the Galápagos to lead a hands-on artisan workshop, sharing her incredible skill in building bird sculptures from paper—with a focus on the blue-footed booby, an emblematic species of these legendary islands.
All photos: Alexandra Daley-Clark
Exploring the Islands
Prior to the workshop, Niharika had a chance to explore the islands along with guests of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions who were traveling aboard National Geographic Endeavour II. She searched for new inspiration while observing and photographing native and endemic species in their natural habitats.
Passing on New Skills
Twelve accomplished artisans, who came from two of the archipelago's inhabited islands, Santa Cruz and Isabela, joined Niharika for this five-day workshop. The group gained new knowledge and skills which will help expand their own product lines while also jumpstarting their creativity.
Getting the Details Down
The artisans used photographs for inspiration and to make sure they captured all the details and personality of these beloved birds as they nurtured their raw materials into intricate, lifelike sculptures.
Trying Out New Mediums
Clovis Patino, who normally works in recycled glass, and whose products can be found in the Global Galleries aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet, carefully layered each individual, delicate paper feather for hours to create his own bird sculpture.
A Focus on Local
The supplies needed to craft these unique bird sculptures—wire, clay, paint, simple tools and wastepaper—were all purchased or sourced locally in Puerto Ayora to ensure that the artisans would be able to recreate the process for themselves in the future.
Visiting the Recycling Center
Niharika called on the local recycling center, a key source for finding good materials to transform into the stunning, lifelike creations.
Creating Confidence
One participant shared that, "This workshop gave me the certainty that with effort, love, and dedication, great things and successful products can be achieved. It made me believe even more in myself as an artist. I would like Niharika to return for new projects; she is extraordinary, and I am sure she can teach us many more things."
A Successful Finish
Several artisans that participated in the Paper Birds Workshop plan to continue building on the skills they learned, adapting the same raw materials into other bird species. Hopefully, one day guests will be able to find their work for sale aboard our ships.
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