TOURS

Get to know who made your textiles – and how.

Little Luxuries:

Traditional Artisans in the World of

Contemporary Design

We travel to learn. We can enjoy skimming the surface of exotica, or we can go slower, meet individuals, experience and understand a bit of their worlds. Our aim is to introduce you to who made the textiles you find, why and how.

To experience is to gather cherished memories, to connect, to love. In experiencing other worlds, we understand our own – and increase value for both.

A unique aspect of India is the persistence of distinct rural cultures, expressed in craft traditions.

These expressions emanate from a shared understanding of the world, a shared identity, and an environment in which art is integrated into daily life.

Judy Frater will take you down paths less traveled to meet artisans whom she intimately knows and experience their shared heritage and the subtle variations nurtured through design education.

Artisan designers have styles as unique as fingerprints, while clearly maintaining their cultural heritage.

You will experience living traditions, learn in workshops, and connect to the precious human quality of handmade art.

LITTLE LUXURIES:

Traditional Artisans in the World of Contemporary Design:

Kutch and Ahmedabad

Dates: December 28, 2023 to January 10, 2024

Explore the rich and textured hand-crafted textiles of Gujarat from the eyes of the artisans who create them. Having lived and worked closely with artisans of the region for three decades, Judy Frater brings you into the lives of traditional artisans today. Frater established the first institute of design education for traditional artisans. You will meet artisan design graduates, hear their amazing and heartwarming stories, and enjoy their exquisite and unique innovations. Learn about traditional lifestyles and relationships as well as incredible techniques. Meet urban designers too. Discuss the complex issues of traditions adapting to the fast-evolving contemporary world. Be prepared to ponder concepts of sustainability.

Please contact judyf@textileslive.com to register your interest!