With the aim of promoting and boosting the sales of Azores Handicrafts, namely certified craft products, the Vice-Presidency of the Government promotes three exhibitions (M. ART) and the participation of 56 craft companies during the Sea Week on Faial Island, Praia Festivities on Terceira and Whalers’ Week on Pico Island.

M. ART – Sea Week, included in Expomar, runs until August 13 and features the participation of 15 craft product units from the islands of Faial, Pico, S. Miguel and Santa Maria.

At this exhibition, open between 7 PM and 12 AM, visitors may visit and purchase different products, including leather works, synthetic materials, embroidery, lace, cardboard, home textiles, jewellery, “registos” (religious representations), stone and wood carving, bone and fish scales, among other materials.

In turn, M.ART – Praia da Vitória also runs until August 13. It intends the seize the potential of a season of higher tourism flows on Terceira Island to enhance the visibility of the works produced by 23 craft production units, of which 21 are from Terceira and two from S. Miguel. 
 
The exhibition is installed at a tent located in the Marina of Praia da Vitória in a space adjacent to Atlantic Gastronomy Fair. It may be visited between 7 PM and 12 AM.

The display features works using various materials and techniques, namely tinworks, jewellery, synthetic materials, embroidery, lace, home textiles, weaving, clothing accessories, leather articles, wood miniatures, patchwork, inlay works, cloth dolls, fish scales and ceramics.

M.ART – Whalers’ Week, takes place in Lajes do Pico from August 21 to 27. The event includes the participation of 18 artisans from Pico and São Miguel. It may be visited between 7 PM and 12 AM until August 25, between 4 PM and 12 AM on August 26, and from 8 PM to 12 AM on August 27.
 
In addition to these other regional exhibitions included in various events, the Vice-Presidency has organised promotional and training actions through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA) over the year. Currently, there are 600 registered artisans, while in 2012 there were 359 registered craft units.

This increase in the number of companies reveals the thriving dynamics of the activity, seizing new business opportunities boosted by the growth of tourism flows.

In this regard, the certification and indication or origin is crucial to the regional strategy towards the preservation and support to traditional handicrafts, thus safeguarding the quality and authenticity of production.

Currently, the Azores Handicrafts brand covers 21 certified craft areas and about one hundred production units distinguished with the certification seal.