San Antonio de Ibarra, located on the outskirts of Ibarra, is a village where roughly 25 percent of the 15,000 residents are involved in some form of sculpting or wood carving.
Carpentry shops are located throughout the town -- along the main plaza, in homes and in small artisan workshops. Due to the number of people devoted to the industry, the village has come to be known primarily as a place where tourists can go to buy carved furniture, religious statuary or souvenirs.
San Antonio was founded in March 1693 and became an center for art following the creation of the Liceo Artístico school in 1880. Besides carpentry, the Liceo Artístico taught painting, sculpture and other forms of artistic expression. Although San Antonio de Ibarra is now primarily known for its wood products, residents also use cement and metal in their sculpture, which can be ornately painted.
The town has several small churches (such as Santo Domingo or San Vincente) and places to walk, such as near El Dique (the Dam), but the main draw is definitely the woodwork.
San Antonio de Ibarra maintains a fairly comprehensive and user-friendly website: www.sanantonio.gov.ec/es/index.php