The Association of United Artists and Artisans of Puerto Plata has officially opened its annual Summer Fair in Independence Square, where local craftspeople will showcase their work through July 26. The event brings together artisans specializing in amber, larimar, petrified wood, jewelry, and other traditional crafts that have become closely associated with the northern Dominican province.
The opening ceremony included a blessing by Father Osvaldo Santos Beard, pastor of San Felipe Cathedral. Representatives of the Puerto Plata Norte Lions Club encouraged residents and visitors to support local artisans, whose work reflects generations of craftsmanship and the region’s cultural identity.
A Showcase for Puerto Plata’s Traditional Crafts
Denis Lantigua, president of the association, thanked the Puerto Plata City Hall and the Dominican Ministry of Tourism for supporting the event. He said the fair provides artisans with direct access to one of the city’s busiest visitor areas, allowing them to market their products without relying solely on intermediaries.
Following the fair, participating artisans will continue selling their work along Duarte Street, at Gregorio Luperón International Airport, and at the Amber Cove and Taíno Bay cruise ports. Lantigua also announced plans to participate once again in the Puerto Plata community gathering organized by COPROPUSA in New York, along with exhibitions at Dominican consulates in New York, New Jersey, and other locations.
Tourism Has Revived the Local Craft Market
The expansion of cruise tourism through the Amber Cove and Taíno Bay terminals has contributed to a revival of Puerto Plata’s artisan sector. Greater visitor traffic has enabled many craftspeople to sell directly to tourists through specialized markets and seasonal fairs, increasing their visibility and improving economic opportunities.
The opening celebration also featured performances by a traditional Dominican music ensemble and the Ministry of Tourism’s folkloric ballet, presenting merengue and mangulina performances that highlighted the province’s cultural traditions.
A History of Craftsmanship and Collective Organization
Puerto Plata’s artisan community has evolved through decades of organization and cooperation. During the rapid tourism growth of the 1970s through the 1990s, many wood carvers, jewelry makers, and amber artisans depended on intermediaries who controlled access to hotels and gift shops, leaving producers with only a small share of the final sale price.
In response, artisans formed organizations such as the Association of Petrified Wood Artisans of Imbert (ASOARTEP) and the Association of United Artists and Artisans of Puerto Plata. These groups have worked to secure direct sales opportunities, improve product quality, and promote the province’s distinctive artistic traditions.
Crafts That Reflect Puerto Plata’s Identity
Among Puerto Plata’s best-known handmade products are fine jewelry crafted from locally mined amber and Dominican larimar, sculptures carved from petrified wood—marketed under the collective brand Imberlita—miniature replicas of the city’s iconic Victorian houses, decorative pieces made from the higüero fruit, and jewelry featuring radiolarite fossils known locally as “Piedra de Bobo.”
Many of these crafts have earned recognition through national exhibitions and cultural initiatives, while the establishment of the Imberlita collective brand has helped protect locally produced petrified wood sculptures from imitations and strengthen their presence in international markets.
For visitors exploring Puerto Plata, the Summer Fair offers more than handcrafted souvenirs. It provides an opportunity to discover the stories, traditions, and generations of craftsmanship that continue to shape one of the Dominican Republic’s most distinctive cultural industries.