ARTS AND CRAFT OF CHILOÉ 

The local art in Chiloé has been expressed through different materials since ancient times. Wood, rocks, wickerwork, wool, have been and still are the base of the fabrication of everyday artifacts.

WOOL: Weaving is one of the most traditional arts and crafts practices of Chiloe which starts during summer after the shearing of the sheep, the wool is cleaned, spun and washed. It is dyed with local fruits and vegetables called pello-pello, maqui, arrayán, tepa, barba de palo, amongst others, depending on the color that you prefer.

FIBER: Weaving is one of the most traditional arts and crafts practices of Chiloe which starts during summer after the shearing of the sheep, the wool is cleaned, spun and washed. It is dyed with local fruits and vegetables called pello-pello, maqui, arrayán, tepa, barba de palo, amongst others, depending on the color that you prefer.

WOOD: Maybe the most representative local art in Chiloe is the one made with wood. Boats, houses, furniture and utensils of all kind. Highlighted is the work of the carpenters, who are artists in their construction of ships and fishing boats which are so necessary for both fishing and transportation between the multitude of islands throughout the archipelago. And of course there is the abundant religious art: churches and saints are beautified by the hands of the expert craftsmen. The architecture of the majority of the churches is formed by inverted ships, with this special craft handed down since the arrival of the Spanish.

ROCK: Stoves, bricks and local barbecues are made of “cancagua” a volcanic rock, half sandy and of a relative hardness which allows it to be sculpted with ease. For being unique to the island its products are extremely valuable and scarce.