Posted by:  Len

The last few days have been hectic but very positive.  Soon after an announcement went into the local newspaper about our talk at the Silver Cinema series, Cathy and I were contacted by a journalist asking if he could interview us about the film.  We agreed, and he came by to talk with us on Monday the 18th.  As he was going back to his office he mentioned that the article would appear in two day’s time, on the 20th.  Sure enough, we found this article Wednesday morning.  The print edition also included one of Anil Advani’s beautiful portraits of Surayia (see below).  The electronic version of the article has already been shared multiple times by friends on Facebook.  Thank you!

On the 21st, we gave a presentation about Bangladesh, nakshi kantha and the film project to a very supportive community group in Gig Harbor.  Thanks to everyone for your attention and most importantly for your enthusiasm.  We really feel it and appreciate it.  And please keep spreading the word.

We continue working with Rita Meher editing the rough cut of the film.  Cathy recently recorded some narration for Rita to add to the  film to have a better idea of timing and length of scenes.  All very exciting.

Surayia, photographed by Anil Advani.

Surayia, photographed by Anil Advani.

 

 

 

Posted by: Len

Surayia and some of the women of Arshi.  Photo copyright Anil Advani and Kantha Productions LLC.

Surayia and some of the women of Arshi. Photo copyright Anil Advani and Kantha Productions LLC.

International Women’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on the example set by Surayia and the women of Arshi.  Talent, creativity, and lots of dedication and hard work allowed them to build much better futures for themselves and their families.  Artisan enterprises like Arshi employ significant numbers of people — primarily women — around the world, and are an important source of income that permits self-sufficiency.

It is good to see that my former employer, the U.S. State Department, has joined with other like-minded institutions to establish the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.  I hope this initiative helps to focus attention on artisans worldwide, today and during Women’s History Month, and also that it helps convince people to support living artists and to buy the handmade goods that they produce.

Posted by: Len

We’re looking forward to talking about Surayia, her art, the amazing artisan enterprise that she created with the women of Arshi, and showing the film trailer at the Mustard Seed Project of Key Peninsula’s Silver Cinema Series on March 17.  See you there!