Commons:Miss Lupita project

Introduction

Miss Lupita is a project based in Mexico City with the aim of reviving the traditional craft of “Lupita” dolls. The dolls originated in the late 18th and early 19th century as a way to cheaply copy more expensive imported dolls for poorer families. The dolls are made from a very hard form of papier-mâché called “cartonería” which is also used to create alebrijes and skeletal figures for Day of the Dead. However, the craft has waned with the only workshops making and selling them located in Celaya in the state of Guanajuato, mostly as collector’s items. The project’s aim was to create more contemporary designs through a series of free workshops to the public. The resulting dolls have been displayed in Mexico City, Japan and Portugal and featured in a number of Mexican publications.

The Wikimedia Partnership

In August 2012, the Project donated 143 images related to cartonería or Lupita dolls and its activities.