“I have managed to survive thirty years thanks to craftsmanship,” says Eduardo Ossandón, 46 years old. He was born in Calama, but raised in Arica since he was almost two years old. In love with Arica, he considers himself completely Arican and loves the city. He attributes this to its unmatched climate: “Arica has everything a human being could want: beaches, deserts, highlands and the highest lake in the world.”

In 1983 he began working on the craft thanks to one of his friends, who taught him much of what he practices to this day. However, Eduardo says that “most of the craftsman's trade is learned by doing. “You experiment and dare.”

Graduated from the Polytechnic High School with a technician in engine maintenance, the artist says that “although it may sound like nothing to do with my job, there I learned to draw designs, which has served me a lot as a craftsman (…) People usually see the final product , but first there is a lot of design work and preparing raw materials.”

The specialty of this renowned artisan is ceramics, since according to him “it was love at first sight.” When he started working with this raw material, he couldn't stop doing it. According to him, “craft is the mother art, but the least rewarded.” This is because "in Chile we do not have a law that protects us as artisans, unlike Peru, Bolivia, and even Argentina." He tells me, between the materials from his workshop and the peace of the Artisan Village, that there in neighboring countries you can hardly enter with foreign crafts, because “they ask to pay taxes, permits, invitations. On the other hand, here, everyone comes in with whatever they want and sells it cheaper.”

According to this experienced artist, he has complete confidence in Mayor and his team. He believes that at last more importance can be given to this issue that is so neglected in our country.

“Competition within crafts is cruel,” Eduardo tells me with a humble look. Then he adds that "it is full of" artisans ", who are actually merchants, those who buy the sculptures outside and resell them at a higher price."

They have called Eduardo from various cities and countries to offer him jobs, but given his love for Arica and the northern climate, he has not been able to accept, not even when he received offers to go to Puerto Rico.

What stands out most about his long career is that he has been able to visit several areas of Chile, from Arica to Concepción and Arequipa in Peru. But on the other hand, he also feels that he needs to fulfill his dream: giving craft classes to children.

Ossandón offered 5 scholarships to children who want to participate in his craft workshop this summer. Starting on Thursday the 24th, these activities began in his workshop within the Artisan Village of Arica. This scholarship will serve until the summer ends and the school year begins.

The Artisanal Village is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a brief interruption during lunchtime. It is clear that we must help promote this type of art in our community, starting by attending and recognizing local talent.