South Asian artisans demonstration, talk, trunk show July 31 at Quilt Museum

The International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host an artisans' demonstration, talk, and trunk show by members of the Kala Raksha Trust 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 31. A talk will be given by the trust founder, Judy Frater, at 2 p.m.

Kala Raksha is a grassroots social enterprise dedicated to the nurturing of the creativity of traditional artisans of the Kutch desert in northwestern India. This event is held in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition "South Asian Seams: Quilts from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh."

Rabari women have adorned themselves, their husbands and children, their homes and their camels for centuries. Each region has a distinct version of this rich folk art. The women artisans of Kala Raksha began an incredible journey of self-expression following the massive earthquake that devastated Kutch in 2001. Their quest to realize themselves as individual artists paralleled the rehabilitation of their land. The Kala Raksha Trust provides educational and marketing opportunities for the nomadic women.

Frater has worked with Kala Raksha, a Rabari artisan group in Kutch, since its founding 17 years ago. Frater founded the first design school for traditional artisans, for which she was awarded the 2009 Sir Misha Black Medal for Distinguished Service to Design Education. She is author of the highly acclaimed "Threads of Identity: Embroidery and Adornment of the Nomadic Rabaris."

An array of beautifully dyed and embellished Rabari textiles, many with mirror work embroidery, will be for sale for use in home decor and as apparel accessories. Rabari artisans will demonstrate their craft during the sale.

The International Quilt Study Center and Museum, 1523 N. 33rd St. [map], is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays and major holidays. Docent-led tours begin at 11 a.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays. Reserved guided tours for groups of 10 or more are available during public hours. Please schedule at least four weeks in advance. Call 472-6579 or e-mail iqsc-tours@unlnotes.unl.edu. Admission is $5 for adults (over 18); $3 for non-UNL students with ID and children; $10 for families; free for children under 5, museum members, and UNL faculty, staff and students with ID. For more information, call 472-6459 or visit www.quiltstudy.org. The International Quilt Study Center is an academic program of the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences.

WRITER: Maureen Ose