American Quilters Society Selling Egyptian Textile Artwork

The American Quilters Society, headquartered in Paducah, KY, opens a new business channel for the Tentmakers of Cairo at AQS QuiltWeek in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 13-16, 2013. AQS will debut 40 new works in the exhibit: Stitch Like an Egyptian by the Tentmakers of Cairo. Each piece in the exhibition was commissioned by the American Quilters Society specifically for this event. All the works were designed and handcrafted by the men on the Chareh El Khiamia in Cairo, Egypt

Tentmaking was once a thriving art form in the Middle East; valued and prized enough to be found in Pharaonic tombs. Yet many economic and social changes in Egypt are driving this beautiful art to the edge of extinction. Decreased tourism and the wide availability of preprinted fabrics have severely undercut demand for these mens work.
The American Quilters Society has signed an agreement making AQS the exclusive representative for exhibitions and sales of the tentmakers work in the United States. Each of the 18 shops in the marketplace of the Tentmakers in Cairo, Egypt, will now create and sell works to the American Quilters Society for distribution in the U.S.

Until now, the Chareh El Khiamia (Market of the Tentmakers) in Cairo was the only place on Earth to enjoy and purchase these masterpieces. Australian curator Jenny Bowker noted: Theyre looking at new marketing systems to keep their families going and keep the tradition alive. Over the past few years, many men have left work as stitchers to find other jobs.

The American Quilters Society has stepped up to help the Tentmakers of Cairo by coordinating the North American tour of the work of the Tentmakers of Cairo. AQS has already purchased over 140 works for display at their AQS QuiltWeek events throughout 2013. During these four international quilt shows, more than 50,000 people will have a chance to enjoy and purchase these exquisite works of art.

Speaking about the news, AQS Chief Operating Officer, Richard Louise shared, Were pleased to hear many men have been rehired due to the American interest. Offering people ways to share their creativity is core to AQSs mission, and allowing them ways to support their family is icing on the cake.

Two of the tentmakers, Tarek Abdelhay and Hosam Hanafy, will accompany the Stitch Like an Egyptian exhibition to share their stories, demonstrate their appliqu technique, and pose for pictures with visitors. Each of the 18 shops is represented with items available for purchase. Works will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission to the exhibit is free with admission to AQS QuiltWeek. Hours are Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The American Quilters Society is the largest quilting membership organization in the world. For almost 30 years, AQS has been the leading voice in quilting inspiration and advice, through a broad suite of productsmagazines, books, live events, contests, workshops, online networks, patterns, fabric, and catalogs. At AQS, we believe that with inspiration and advice, the creatively minded can take their quilting projects beyond what even they had imagined. That is why inspiration is central to everything we do. The leading authors in quilting choose to publish with AQS; the best in quilt artistry select AQS events to display their work; the newest quilters learn from the knowledge and inspiration of AQS members.

News source: PRWeb

Source:
American Quilters Society Selling Egyptian Textile Artwork

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