Cross Cultural Collaborative: Textile Tour
Feb 2nd, 2012 by Isa2
Do you know this organization? Elie Schimelman has been conducting entertaining and education tours in Ghana for a significant number of years now. She also has a project where talented artisans from the US teach local children aspects in the arts for enrichment and possible future career options.
“Cross Cultural Collaborative is an educational non-profit that promotes creativity between cultures”.
Information about her non-profit is found at www.culturalcollaborative.org (Sorry, I can’t seem to make this link hot) where you can find a link to purchase wonderful items at her gift shop.
But to get back to the tour ( http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/textiles2012.pdf ) It will take place in July of this year–July 8-21.
As the flier says: “Stay in our guest house across the street from the ocean
Participate in workshops taught by African artisans; Learn: batik – tie & dye – adinkra – kente; Visit galleries – museums – outdoor markets – dealers in
antique textiles – traditional crafts villages and Study the African textile traditions in context of the culture
Our vision is to place people from different life experiences in an environment where they can exchange ideas and find universal connections.”
As a person who has conducted Textile Tours in the Gambia, West Africa, I can assure you that this is a terrific opportunity to learn textile decorating techniques from folks who are “masters” of their trade. And not only do you get hands-on studies, but to do so in the local surroundings provides fertile ground for personal growth you may never have thought possible.
I urge you to check this out–it may be just what you are looking for. Teachers, you may be able to get CEUs for this and I know when I was offering tours, some folks were able to qualify for grants from their own school departments and outside educational foundations, though I am not able to point you in the right direction more than that.
Bon Voyage,
Isa2
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