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This March 19th, while the religious calendar celebrates Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, Acre pays tribute to other creative workers: artisans. Far beyond its aesthetic value, Acre craftsmanship has consolidated itself as a silent economic power, generating more than R$ 1.2 million in 2025, between direct sales at Casa do Artesanato Acreano and participation in large national fairs, such as Fenearte (PE) and Salão do Artesanato (SP).
The one located on the iconic Calçadão da Gameleira is the barometer of this success. Revenue in the space jumped from R$ 174 thousand, in 2024, to expressive R$ 443 mil last year. The secret? The transformation of forest residues such as açaí seeds, jarina, paxiúba and wood residues into biojewelry and luxury objects that carry the soul of the Amazon.
Pieces that carry the Amazonian identity/ Photo: Bruno Moraes/Sete
The Voice of Experience: The Legacy of Socorro Souza
Among the 131 exhibitors at the House, it stands out Socorro Souza. With five decades dedicated to her craft, she has broken barriers in an industry previously dominated by men. “I was the first woman in Acre to work with seed processing”, recalls the artisan, who defines her profession as the “anchor” of her life. For Socorro, each molded piece is an act of care that spans generations, a knowledge that she now calls on young people to preserve.
Public Policies and Female Independence
The growth of the sector is not the result of chance. Under the coordination of the State Secretariat for Tourism and Entrepreneurship (Sete), Acre reached the mark of 2,356 active artisans in January 2026. In the last year alone, 420 new professionals were inserted into the national system (Sicab), guaranteeing access to benefits and trips to fairs across the country.
Currently, Acre has more than 2,300 active artisans, strengthening the creative economy and the financial independence of families/ Photo: Marcos Rocha/Sete
Patrícia Parente, director of Entrepreneurship at Sete, highlights that the impact is, above all, social. “When a woman creates with her own hands, she builds autonomy and dignity for her family”, she states. Women’s crafts in Acre are today one of the main paths to financial independence and social inclusion in the interior of the state.
Identity that Wins the World
From the braiding of basketry to the precision of marquetry and the symbolism of indigenous headdresses, local crafts are the greatest ambassador of Acre culture. For secretary Marcelo Messias, the quality of the pieces is what differentiates the state on the national scene. “We have valuable crafts, with history. Our focus is to value those who transform raw materials into art”, he points out.
LAW ALSO:
On this 19th, the celebration is a call to appreciation. When purchasing a handcrafted piece, the consumer is not just getting a decorative object, but hours of dedication from hands that, with patience and talent, keep Acre’s history alive.
