Foundation

Comunidad was a non-profit (501(c)(3) organization formed in 2002 by ArtAndes and friends. It worked alongside Indigenous communities in the Peruvian highlands whose lives and villages had been devastated by the terrorist violence of the 1980's and 1990s.  One of these communities was the mountain village of Paccha, in the mountains near Ayacucho, where Comunidad first focused their efforts.  Much of the adult male population had been brutally murdered in 1989, the area had been slow to recover, with only widows and orphans, and a government eager to forget this painful chapter in its country’s history.  But Paccha was also the home town of the Quispe’s, master weavers for ArtAndes, who had not forgotten their people.  Please read “A Durable Weave”, to learn more about the Quispe brothers and to gain a better understanding of why Comunidad was created.

Comunidad extended from Paccha to six additional villages, providing the opportunities and resources needed to rebuild their lives and strengthen their communities. The organization helped establish four high schools, six preschools, provided daily lunches and funded scholarships.  Comunidad carefully invested its resources, which came solely in the form of private donations, helping to create a self-sustaining bridge for families.

2026 update: The work of the foundation came to a gentle close after helping the students their education through online learning during the Covid pandemic. Today, four scholarship students continue to receive support. 

Although Comunidad's chapter has ended, the values that inspired it continue to guide ArtAndes. For more than 40 years, ArtAndes has been committed to preserving culture, building meaningful relationships, and supporting communities with dignity and respect. Those same principles now lead us to focus our efforts closer to home. As the needs within our own communities in the United States continue to grow, we are dedicating our energy to supporting the human rights, dignity, and safety of our immigrant friends and neighbors. While our work has evolved, our belief in the power of community, compassion, and lasting relationships remains unchanged.