Highlights of 2006 AnARt Activities

Jan.           AnARt Products at the Freer/SAckler Galleries

AnARt supplied arts, crafts and T-Shirts for the Smithsonian Freer/Sackler Galleries to compliment the Ottoman Imperial Costumes Exhibition held from Oct. 2005 to Jan. 2006. T-shirts with royal kaftan designs were a hit.

April          Business & Product Development Training at Kilis,                   Turkey.

Anatolian Artisans implemented a micro-business management training program for 21 low income women at Kilis. Sponsored by HasNa Inc. the training program provided the women with detailed plans to organize and operate their own micro-businesses.

A separate product development training program was organized by the Anatolian Artisans for the members of the CATOM (Multi-purpose community centers) KILIS. British designer Jackie Hewison designed contemporary jackets and kaftans using regional “kutnu” fabric of Gaziantep. She trained the sewing group to produce her designs according to global standards. These unique designs will soon be offered for sale on the AnARt website.

May           Kentucky Meets Turkey

On the invitation of L.V Harkness company of Lexington, Kentucky, Anatolian Artisans displayed and sold authentic Turkish arts and crafts at the three day event. Turkish Ambassadors to the US and UN, H.E. Nabi Sensoy and H.E. Baki Ilkin respectively attended the event. The Ambassadors were hosted by Kentucky Congressmen Ed Whitfield and Ben Chandler.

IFC Store Pangea Sells AnARt Products

AnARt is one of the suppliers for the Pangea store that the International Finance Corp. (World Bank) started to support the artisans in developing countries. T-shirts, jewelry, silver and ceramic items made by our artisans are on display at the store at 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

 

                Textile Museum Gift Store Carry AnARt Products

T-Shirts, crochet napkin holders, Sile embroidered nightgowns and blouses and more by AnARt artisans are on sale at the Textile Museum Gift Stores.

 
June          Culture Tour to Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea

Our first cultural tour to Turkey took place at the end of June. During the eight day Eastern Black Sea Region trip the group visited monuments and buildings representing Roman, Byzantium, Georgian, Ottoman, Seljuk, and modern Turkey. In addition to the sights, sounds and tastes of the region visits to local artisans generated lasting impressions on the group members. A new project was developed during the trip to promote the regional Kesan cloth made on centuries old hand-looms. (See Black Sea Tour Article for comments and pictures)

 

Aug.          Sewing machines for Kilis Artisan Group

Anatolian Artisans purchased two industrial  sewing machines for the CATOM (Multi Purpose Community Center) group in Kilis. A generous contribution by the Arkadaslar Group (ex-Peace Corp volunteers to Turkey) made the purchase possible. As a result the CATOM artisans will be able to use their newly acquired skills to make trendy jackets for sale in Turkey and abroad to generate more income for themselves and their families.

Oct           Arkadaslar dinner

Anatolian Artisans was once more invited to display and sell arts and crafts at the annual Arkadaslar Cumhuriyet Bayram dinner at the Kazan Restaurant.

Nov.          Freer/Sackler, Textile Museum & Pangea

AnARt supplied new products for sale at the Smithsonian Freer/Sackler, Textile Museum gift stores and the Pangea at the IFC.( 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W)

Dec.

        Shared Tastes
Anatolian Artisans and HasNa Inc. in a joint fundraising program are organizing an evening of friendship with the Turkish and Greek communities. Prominent food writers Engin Akin and Mirsini Lampraki from Istanbul and Athens respectively will be presenting exciting examples of shared tastes from both cuisines. It will be an evening of incredible food, wine, music, dance, raffles, and friendship.