Page 24 - the NOISE January 2014

REVITALIZING A MAIN STREET MAINSTAY
a marketplace for the soul, flush with fair trade
BY SARAH GIANELLI
Atowering Hindu princess presides just inside the doorway of the newly reincarnated Magdalena’s Bazaar, one of Jerome’s most beloved and long-standing boutiques. Not only
did the earthy reds and yellows of the wood-carved antique (the specifics of its origins still veiled in mystery) dictate the aesthetic for the interior makeover, but her presence, like the center of a wheel, holds a place of stillness in this delightfully dizzying carousel of color, texture, and culture from around the world.
Tracy Lynn Moore (who, with Mile High Grill owner Liz Gale, comprise another Jerome power couple equal parts sav- vy entrepreneurs and dedicated humanitarians) has managed to breathe new life and purpose into the shop while honoring and retaining much of what she loved about it when she first stepped inside nine years ago.
“There were aspects of Magdalena’s I really wanted to keep,” says Ms. Moore. “People were worried about what we would do with the place, but I really wanted to honor Sheila Conlin, the previous owner, and her daughter Ona Ziegler. They — and their staff — built this place. These women did all these things before I was ever here that allowed me to come in. You have to honor all that work, time and vision.”
Ms. Moore has kept many Magdalena staples — from long- time employee Ruth Brown (who has helped tremendously during the transition) to the store’s signature vibrancy. Frida Kahlo imagery and Day of the Dead memorabilia (playful Bo- livian figurines, ceramic Catrina skeletons from Nogales, Mex- ico, sacred hearts and crosses) still pepper the space, as well as an abundance of art, clothing and jewelry by local artists.
The changes — and revitalization — stem from Ms. Moore’s passionate commitment to supporting international fair trade and helping artisans, 90% of which happen to be women sus- tain themselves by their craft. “But this isn’t an exclusive ‘no boys allowed’ club,” she laughs.
“Women in war-torn countries are very much in harm’s way,” says Ms. Moore. “They’re getting left behind while the men and boys are off fighting and often they have not been empowered or educated to run a village. They are getting raped just going to get firewood or because they have to walk two miles to get water. If we can promote them and their art
— and when I say art, it’s everything from textiles to gourds to pottery to hand-punched oil drums from Haiti — if we can get their basic needs met and give them an opportunity to make money and have sustainable trade, it has a trickledown effect. Even if it’s one little chanchito pig at a time ... if that’s what we
have to do, that’s what we do.”
Representing approximately ten countries including the US,
the global wares in Magdalena’s range from tokens costing a few dollars like the chanchitos (three-legged terracotta pigs from Chile for luck) and organic cotton finger puppets from Peru, to the $9,000 19th century French carousel seat in the window, and hit every price point in between.
A tour through the shop, under Tibetan and Mexican prayer flags, reveals the astonishing number of artisans and coun- tries showcased here, each nook of colorful, textured goods calling out to be touched. There is handmade Nepalese paper, soft Indian scarves; hand painted gourds from Peru, Vietnam- ese weavings, stylized icon paintings on glass and adorned wooden pitchforks from Romania. Valuable antiques — an enormous faded metal rooster from Mexico, worn jointed santo mannequins — are mixed in with trinkets: Guatemalan worry dolls, stuffed lamas made from sustainable alpaca wool, Milagro prayer charms.
In one corner, area heart rocks are affixed to hanging planks, all proceeds benefiting Sedona’s HERO (Humanitarian Efforts Reaching Out) Foundation, an organization that Ms. Moore has been working with to make fair trade contacts around the world. With trips planned for Nicaragua, Greece, Vietnam and Mexico in the coming year, Ms. Moore hopes to make more direct contact with the artisans themselves.
“I can say with certainty that 95% companies I am working witharefairtrade,”shesays. “Weknowthey’reworkinginsafe environments and getting fair wages — we’re not paying pen- nies and making dollars.”
She read a letter from an artisan in Peru saying that after six years of making gourds she was finally able to buy property. “It changed her whole world and the lives of her children,” says
Ms. Moore. “And it will affect the lives of their children. Like I said it’s one pig at a time; one gourd at a time.”
Ms. Moore can’t pinpoint when the seed of philanthropic activism was planted within her, but it’s been there as long as she can remember. Prior to purchasing Magdalena’s four months ago, she sponsored a total of 10 women in Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria through Women for Women International, an or- ganization dedicated to changing the world one woman at a time.
“In short, I became involved because once I gained an aware- ness and understanding of the plight of these women, and what they endure on a daily basis ... how could I not?” she asks.
Ms. Moore’s desire to help individuals support themselves through their handiwork does not exclude the countless tal- ented artists in our own valley and beyond. Many of Jerome’s favorite artists (and people) have found a place at Magdale- na’s. Ms. Moore has provided Kat Bryant of Black Wing Jewels a sunny spot in the window where she can work and display her jewelry. Ms. Moore brought her clever, dog inspired t-shirt line Muttley Crue Co. up from her former space in the New State Motor Company building as well.
The windows display Pat Lyons’ fantastical and steampunk fiber sculpture. Tastefully mixed in with the global goods are Danielle Vorves’ photography, her partner Mark Lucas’ glass pendants, earrings from Jessi Rae Carpentier’s bullet shell line; wearable wire art by Teal Sullivan and decoupage by Marion Wilkinson. There are books by local authors; paint- ings by Sally Murphy, Anne Gale, and Autumn Zaun; Sandy Brown’s natural fiber clothing; skirts, aprons and novelty ties by Kim Moore; and Bali-inspired clothing by Ona Z, whose designs have long been the fashion heart and soul not only of Magdalena’s, but all the women of Jerome. The cherished mugs of ceramicist Tony Shadegg — distinguished by his sig- nature “ant” stamp — are available in addition to his modern translucent porcelain paper clay lamps.
“I believe in a global economy but I also believe we have to do as much here as we do elsewhere,” says Ms. Moore. “I love this community; there are a lot of really cool people here and, for me, it’s bringing their talent and soul here and sharing it. I added ‘Marketplace of the Soul’ to the name because, for me, art is about reconnecting people to that. Hopefully it makes somebody feel something. Sometimes I think we’re losing ourselves and it takes some big event for us all to remember who we are ... and it’s like no, we don’t need a tragedy to re- member. We need a touch, a smell, to be inspired by some- thing someone else has made.
It takes a lot of courage for people to share their art with the world; and then there are people doing it just to survive. I wanted to provide a place for all of it.”
Magdalena’s Bazaar is located at 154 Main Street in Jerome, open 10AM to 6PM daily.
| Sarah Gianelli enjoys those foggy days without electricity. sarahgianelli@hotmail.com
24 • january 2014 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us