OUR MISSION…

Art for Social Change

Expanding Economic Opportunity for Women

Screening and discussing THREADS documentary story to raise awareness of an important, but often overlooked, area of economic empowerment in emerging economies — artisan enterprise.

OUR VISION…

A world of social and economic inclusion and zero poverty.

A world with global appreciation for creativity and the art of craft.

A world of human connection through beautiful objects of fashion, decor and everyday things.

The THREADS project brings together filmmakers and musicians from Bangladesh, Canada and the United States to tell the remarkable story of Surayia Rahman and the artisans with whom she worked.

OUR TEAM

You can experience this inspiring story and share it with friends, neighbors, co-workers via streaming, DVD or by hosting a community screening.  Ask your library to get a copy for its collection.

BUY THE FILM

SAVING LIVES, STITCH BY STITCH

Join the momentum toward a world where there is greater opportunity for women to find dignity in creative work that preserves culture and improves lives for families and communities.

GET INVOLVED

What others say about THREADS.

It seems clear from the remarkable quality of the embroidery that these women worked together with great harmony and dedication, due no doubt to the radiance of the Rahman’s design as well as the opportunity for skills development presented to them.

This documentary film will serve to preserve the legacy of Surayia’s work. She is an extraordinary artist who I have been fortunate to meet and whose work the Museum is grateful to have in its collection.

I don’t think there is anything more important than getting these 20th century masters and mistresses on tape, people long neglected by art historians both here and in South Asia.

Respected artist Surayia Rahman kindly produced a watercolour painting for the cover of my first book of hymns and songs. This beautiful piece of artwork lifts me to another world.

THREADS provided an amazing opportunity to engage Fashion Institute of Technology students in a conversation about artisanship, fair trade and intellectual property. The film is visually stunning and very personal in nature. It explores complex issues without being overwhelming or overtly political. Its balanced approach prompted a long conversation after the screening, allowing students to share their own feelings and perspectives with the director, Cathy Stevulak.

Cathy Stevulak’s thought-provoking documentary Threads touches on a number themes — textile culture, artisanship, the status of crafts along with design, tradition and innovation, intellectual property, women’s empowerment, and art evolution in colonial and contemporary periods. Not only is it an informative biography of artist Surayia Rahman, it also invites an emotional connection to her and the women who work at Arshi. I have used this beautifully made film for a class assignment and appreciate how many questions it leaves open, thus encouraging personal reflection and further research.

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