Staff at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market continue to seek information on the condition of Haitian artists involved with the annual market, many of whom have developed followings here.

Market director Charlene Cerny said she learned this week that the metal sculptors in Croix-des-Bouquets are safe, although there is no word on Serge Jolimeau and "We are a little worried about him." The community is just 15 miles from Port-au-Prince.

Jolimeau, one of the metal sculptors, attended the July market from 2005 through 2009.

Michée Ramil Remy, one of the metal sculpture artists following in the footsteps of Jolimeau, is reported to be fine. Remy, known for his recycled steel sculpture, attended the market for the first time last year.

Jolimeau and Remy were two of the Folk Art Market artists commissioned by the Clinton Global Initiative to make the awards that were presented to the winners of the Clinton Global Citizen Awards last year.

George Valris, who makes the popular sequined and beaded vodoun flags, lives in Port-au-Prince, but survived the earthquake. His sister, however, lost three of her children, Cerny said.

There is no news whatsoever about Pierre Edgard Satyr, president of the 307-member association of papier-mâché artists in Jacmel. The community in southern Haiti, which is the birthplace of the costumes and masks used to celebrate Carnival, was severely damaged.

The earthquake was the second disaster to hit the area in recent years. In 2008, a hurricane and devastating floods destroyed most of the papier-mâché and local artisans lost their livelihood for several months.

After reading about staff concerns for the artists in an earlier story in The New Mexican, the Domanica Foundation in Las Vegas, N.M., inquired about helping one of them come to the 2010 market.

Under Folk Art Market rules, only first-time artists qualify for financial assistance. But last Friday, the market established the Artist Relief Fund with a lead donation from Domanica. The fund will provide support for Haitian artists who were chosen to participate this year. In the future, it will assist artists elsewhere around the globe who face unforeseen crises such as the earthquake in Haiti.

To give to the fund, go online to www.folkartmarket.org, click on blog and then on the button saying "Donate Online Now." Or call 505-476-1196.

War, migration, lack of access to materials — and natural disasters — can have a catastrophic impact on a country's art and culture, Cerny warned. "This is exactly how traditions die."

Contact Anne Constable at 986-3022 or aconstable@sfnewmexican.com.