Highlights of 2007 AnARt Activities

May   : Supplied Catom-Mardin artisans group with two industrial sewing machines and other tools necessary for their product development workshop.

June  : Organized a Cultural Tour to Cappadocia and Konya. Raising awareness about the arts and culture of Turkey is among AnARt’s missions. One of the ways of achieving this is to organize cultural tours to Turkey.

A diverse group of thirty people from the US, Canada, UK, France, Turkey and Kenya joined the tour. Regional traditions, history, architecture, arts and crafts, cuisine, geography, and landscape were explored. Interactions with local artisans were highlights of the tour.
AnARt’s partner for the cultural tour was Fest Travel of Istanbul. Its founder and president Faruk Pekin personally guided the tour. His in depth knowledge of history and architecture of the region and his colorful interpretations of local culture made the experience particularly interesting and enjoyable. See pictures.

AnARt representatives Yildiz Yagci (President) and Malcolm Pfunder (Treasurer) accompanied the group.

June  : Organized a product development workshop for low income women at Carsibasi town of Trabzon with British designer Jackie Hewison.

July   : Participated in the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market with meerschaum artisan Sinan Atilla.

October : Organized a sales event at Kazan Restaurant, Virginia at Arkadaslar Group’s annual dinner to celebrate Turkish Republic Day.

November: Organized a micro-business training workshop at Mardin –Catom for 15 women sponsored by HasNa.

 

November : Organized a new product development workshop using traditional “oya” Turkish lace-work at Mardin Turkey with designer Beyhan Gence.

December  : Organized annual AnARt holiday sale at David Zahirpour carpet gallery in Washington DC.