Artisans and creators from Lambayeque, Lima, and Cusco were named winners of the thirteenth edition of the National Peruvian Handicraft Design Award, according to an April 28 announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. The award recognizes excellence, creativity, and innovation in Peru’s handicraft sector.
The recognition was presented by José Fernando Reyes Llanos, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism. Winners were selected in three categories: “Product Design and Development,” which highlights innovative proposals; “Production Processes,” focused on improvements in craft-making methods; and “Innovative Business,” which recognizes ventures with growth potential. Reyes Llanos said that this award promotes innovation within the artisan community by encouraging collaboration among artisans, designers, engineers, inventors, as well as public institutions, private organizations, and academia.
“We foster innovation and creativity throughout the value chain of Peruvian handicrafts—in product design, process improvement, and new ways to bring these products to market—to ensure their continuity over time while valuing their contribution to our cultural identity’s diversity and national tourism development,” Reyes Llanos said. He also announced that winners in the first two categories will have opportunities for national and international promotion of their projects. The top winner in “Innovative Business” will receive support to strengthen their workshop or commercial platform.
The ceremony took place at the Museum of Art of Lima (MALI), where finalists’ projects are on display until April 30. According to Reyes Llanos during the event, all winners and finalists will be included in a directory aimed at increasing visibility for their work. They were chosen from among 84 applicants representing 16 regions across Peru.
In “Product Design and Development,” Mari Reaño from Lambayeque was recognized for her collection inspired by pre-Hispanic iconography. In “Production Processes,” students Melany Gutiérrez and Ayelen Castro from Lima won with a project using 3D printing technology to improve seed perforation for jewelry making. Dante Villasante Rey and Nadia Espinoza from Cusco received top honors in “Innovative Business” for a hands-on jewelry workshop aimed at tourists that incorporates creative approaches with sustainability principles.
According to the official website, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism contributes to cultural progress through sustainable tourism initiatives while advancing strategies for foreign trade expansion nationwide. The ministry operates autonomously within Peru’s executive branch under oversight by its minister. It collaborates with organizations such as PromPerú as well as other public- or private-sector entities on programs supporting exports—serving communities throughout Peru with a focus on trade facilitation—and has directed policies since its establishment in 2002.
