Textile Group Weaves Traditions into Modern Marketing
The Georgian Textile Group recently held an exhibition at the National Parliamentary Library in Tbilisi.
Weaving and embroidery are traditions in Georgia, but they are in danger of dying out as the younger generation leaves mountainous communities in search of work and a modern life in the cities. To promote the work of Georgian textile artists and encourage the preservation of Georgia’s traditional crafts, the Georgian Textile Group (GTG), a volunteer-led organization of professional artists, researchers, art historians and ethnographers was formed in 1993. EF’s Georgia office recently financed a GTG project that taught over 200 women in Georgia’s mountainous regions traditional skills such as making felt and carpets and trained them in updating designs to make them more marketable. As a result, participants formed several artisan groups capable of independently marketing their creations.
In October, 2006, the GTG participated in the National Geographic “All Roads” Folk Art Market in Washington, DC. Total profits for their art work were over $7,000, which is nearly four times the average annual salary in Georgia. This success encouraged the GTG to apply for entry at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market in New Mexico, the largest international folk art market in the United States. The event, which took place July 14-15, attracted numerous visitors, including trade buyers from major retailers. The GTG’s artisans enjoyed the opportunity to share their creative spirit with other participants and were pleased with the success of their products, which generated over $12,000 in sales.
