Culture in Focus is a Social Technology that seeks to combine contemporary design with traditional artisanal techniques with the aim of adding value to artisanal production, improving the working and income conditions of the artisans and contributing to the preservation of Brazilian handmade heritage.

Current Status

With the consolidation of the methodology for producing BTC bricks and hydraulic tiles, the Social Technology redirected its efforts toward the reapplication of these techniques by training new members of the community. At the same time, the initiative has expanded its scope to include construction with rammed earth and the implementation of banana circle wastewater systems and school gardens in Pedra Furada, located in Santa Luzia do Itanhy, Sergipe.

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Historic

Culture in Focus began in 2010, focusing on qualifying artisans from Santa Luzia do Itanhy in the production of objects with high added value, based on interaction with contemporary designers. Due to the local people's skill with weaving and fishing, the project focused on the use of natural fibers to produce decorative objects. The product line includes lamps, venetian blinds, among others.

From 2013 to 2016, the *Cultura em Foco* project entered a reapplication phase, working with artisans from five additional municipalities—three in Sergipe and two in Alagoas. By the end of this period, five collections had been launched, resulting in the creation of over 400 high-value products designed in collaboration with professional designers, which began to be marketed nationally. In 2017, the *Origine-SE* project was launched, integrating design, Sergipean craftsmanship, and tourism, with the goal of creating unique products to strengthen the regional tourism value chain. After the pandemic, in 2021, *Cultura em Foco* resumed its activities, focusing on the integration of design, innovation, and sustainable techniques by offering workshops on construction and the production of eco-friendly materials, such as BTC bricks, rammed earth panels, and banana circle systems, with the aim of generating employment and income within the community. The following year, the workshops introduced two new techniques: hydraulic tiles and school gardens. These were complemented by training sessions in social entrepreneurship to help beneficiaries understand and manage the business side of selling the developed products. Production of hydraulic tiles and BTC bricks continued in 2023, with the materials being used in the local school in the Pedra Furada community. Simultaneously, a communication and feasibility study for the business *Vem da Pedra* was initiated, and members participated in training sessions with Bemtevi to strengthen social business initiatives. In 2024, *Vem da Pedra* was officially structured and formalized, enabling members of the initiative to receive additional training that improved the quality of their initial products, especially the hydraulic tiles, which began to be sold that year. Additionally, three new collections were created: the *Caju* and *Feito à Mão* lines, developed in collaboration with local architects, and the *Raízes, Manguezal e Moringa* series, created in partnership with the *Arte Naturalista* Social Technology. Highlights of *Vem da Pedra’s* 2024 activities include a permanent exhibition of framed tiles at the *Seu Sergipe* restaurant and the use of exclusive pieces for the interior design of *Casa Cor Aracaju 2024*.