Hmong embroiderers, Burmese Karen weavers, a Liberian tailor, a Lithuanian book illustrator, and a Somali basket weaver are just some of the artists who will demonstrate their crafts and sell their work at a folk artists’ marketplace on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 11 am to 4 pm at The Institute for Community Research (ICR), 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 in Hartford, CT. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include rug weavers, crochet artists, and jewelry makers, representing immigrant and refugee groups from across Southern New England. Organized by ICR’s CT Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CHAP), the marketplace is part of Hartford Open Studios Weekend, a creative showcase for local artists held annually in Hartford.
“We are happy to present this opportunity during Hartford Open Studios Weekend for rarely seen artists to meet the public and to market their work, all of which is unusual, beautiful, and exquisitely made,” says CHAP Director Lynne Williamson.
CHAP has developed an initiative to encourage production and sales of traditional crafts among the many immigrant communities in the Greater Hartford area and across the state. A number of the artists have had success selling their work at area venues including the Billings Forge Farmers Market and the University of Connecticut, and several of the pieces won first prizes at the Berlin Fair. “This effort is really important for ICR because part of our mission is to work with local communities whose voices are not often heard, and who are hoping to expand their access to cultural resources,” says ICR Executive Director Margaret Weeks, Ph.D.
At this time of year, the marketplace is also a great place to find special holiday gifts while supporting local artists in their new venture. For more information, contact Lynne Williamson at 860-278-2044 ext. 251.
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The Institute for Community Research is an independent research institute that conducts applied research and supports community enhancement programs on issues of health, education and cultural heritage. Its Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts
Program encourages and promotes traditional artists and their communities through an active process of documentation, technical assistance, and public presentations to bring their work and the history of their communities to new audiences. Project supporters include the Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls, the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Hartford and the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
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