Hurricane Helene
Hello Dear Friends of Arete,
As you all know Asheville has been devastated by Hurricane Helene. While the downtown area suffered very little compared to Biltmore Village, the River Arts District and surrounding mountain towns, our business has suffered simply by the closure of everything due to lack of electricity, WIFI and water. However, things are starting to shift and we now have power and water throughout most of Asheville! All of our employees and family members are safe.
Today marks 3 weeks since we realized the shop at 15 Broadway had a few leaks and we had to close- never in a million years, did we even consider the thought of the destruction Helene would cause...
We are slowly starting to reopen the retail shop. In the meantime, our website shop is up and running! We now have GIFT CARDS available for purchase and our Sousdi and Indigo/ Mudcloth apparel, jewelry and much more is available online. Online sales are a great way to support us during these difficult times. And if you love what we carry, please share our website with friends!
Mike and I are hosting our 1st small group trip to Morocco November 2-13. Once we return, we will have a rescheduled Fashion Show date with even more beautiful pieces to share with you.
Much Love Peace and Gratitude, Amy Kawar
If you would like to donate to Help WNC recover from Hurricane Helene -
BELOVED ASHEVILLE
@belovedasheville
paypal: BeLovedAsheville
Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
https://www.belovedasheville.com/donate/
LEAF Global Arts
@leafglobalarts
LEAF Global Artist Relief Fund
WNC Rural Organizing & Resilience (ROAR)
@roar_wnc
paypal: ruralorganizingandresilience@gmail.com
Hearts with Hands
@heartswithhands
https://www.heartswithhands.org
Wine To Water
@winetowater
http://www.wtw.org
River Arts District Artist Foundation (RADA)
@riverartsdistrictasheville
http://www.riverartsdistrict.com/donate/
Operation Airdrop
@opairdrop
http://www.operationairdrop.betterworld.org/campaigns/operation-helene
Appalachian Voices
@appalachianvoices
http://www.appvoices.org/helene-relief/
Helping Friendly Collective
@hfcollective828
https://hfcollective828.com/
Meet Nina from ARTISAN PROJECT
Our recent trip to Morocco was focused around meeting Nina in Tanger
Amy and Nina were instant friends when we met her
From the https://www.artisanprojectinc.com/about
A JOURNEY TO THE SOURCE OF EXPRESSION
I’m Nina Mohammad-Galbert, Creative Director of Artisan Project, the collective company I founded when I moved from LA to Fez - Morocco’s ancient city - a decade ago.
I find limitless sources of inspiration here, that feeds every AP design, from a weaving technique to a sacred motif. I’ve always designed through my instinct, and I keep working this way.
I fell in love with Morocco. Now I’m interwoven in the lives of those I collaborate with. Learning from the craftspeople I encounter, I exchange and share skills and knowledge, and partner with global brands and creative companies who travel here to work with us directly. That’s the essence of AP.
Raised in San Francisco, by Palestinian parents, my passion for textiles began in childhood. I watched my mother embroider clothing for her family, always with so much care.
Nina visiting with the Shepards and Sheep that provide the wool that is used in textiles.
Every piece our artisans create is made by hand with the greatest dedication and love. I hope that wherever my textiles find a home, across the world, they bring an emotional connection and narrative.
I’d like to send a heartfelt thanks to our weavers, for staying so committed to continuing their craft. We couldn’t be without you. And to our clients around the globe. For believing in us and in the authenticity of the hand-weaving tradition and its sacred roots.
Gratefully,
Nina