BARCO is a small group of approximately eight women that has recently emerged as an association of women artisans in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. BARCO distinguishes itself because all their products are made with naturally dyed yarns. They take pride in their process of natural dyeing that they developed themselves over the past years. They have a color range of approximately 12 distinct colors in many shades that they make using only three different plants that grow in the proximity of the village. Depending on the position of the moon while harvesting, the plant will give a certain color or intensity to the yarn. For this line of products they have all collaborated, each woman has designed a new weaving pattern combining and furthering traditional weaving techniques. Each pillow-case brings together the designs of two women so that both sides of the pillow can be used. All sewing is hand done and specifically designed enhancing the design of the weaving. The scarves are uniquely designed as well.
BARCO is part of an ongoing project initiated by CARE and CARE Global Ambassador, Chair of Parsons’ Board of Governors and Trustee of The New School, Sheila C. Johnson. In Fall 2007 The New School and CARE started a collaboration with the women’s artisans association ‘Ajkema'a Loy'a’ in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala.
Pascale Gatzen is a fashion designer and an associate professor at Parsons, the New School for Design, co-ordinating the Fashion track in the Integrated Design program. She has been one of the faculty who has been intimately involved with this project from the beginning. Pascale Gatzen and the students traveling with her in June 2009 expanded their work in San Lucas Toliman and began collaborating with BARCO.

The initial objectives of this ongoing project were to engage both students and artisan women from all over the world in a joint collaboration that would empower the artisan women to create a sustainable economic future through design. Each summer students and faculty travel to Guatemala to work with the different groups of women. The project provides a unique hands-on learning and teaching experience that engages students, faculty and artisan women in a intense process of exchange of knowledge and skills. The New School is a university in New York City with many divisions and this unique collaborative project incorporates students from multiple disciplines and areas of expertise including design, business management and international development. These students work together to support artisan women in Guatemala as they build sustainable businesses through the development of their traditional crafts into products that will appeal to a western market.