http://www.aidtoartisans.org {auto-date} |{auto-title}      On Friday the office was bustling as the team arrived safely home from the New York International Gift Fair. Joining them were visitors from past projects in Colombia and South Africa.Creata      Meet Creata's http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_family_reunion {auto-date} |{auto-title}      Aid to Artisans (ATA) is proud to announce it has joined Creative Learning.  CL, a Washington DC-based non-profit which plans to expand and strengthen ATA’s programs with artisan communities around the world. http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/aid_to_artisans_joins_creative_learning_inc_ {auto-date} |{auto-title}      The New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) draws over 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 85 countries. They visit over 2,800 exhibitions showcasing product lines on the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum. http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_teams_with_egyptian_carpet_maker_at_the_nyigf The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently awarded a grant to Aid to Artisans for the assessment of business and economic potential for the craft sectors in Les Cayes/Aquin and Mirebalais/Arcahaie, Haiti. ATA’s assessment will take into account the region’s http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/w_k__kellogg_foundation_awards_business_assessment_grant_to_ata ATA is excited to be showing at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) January 28th-February 2nd, 2012. We're featuring new products from Haiti and Egypt and are previewing products from our latest partner, Vietcraft. You can find us in the http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/2012_new_york_international_gift_fair Deputy Director of Export Trade, Nana Kodwo Adentwi, has said that non-traditional exports, such as craft,  will increase to $5 billion by 2015.  ATA worked in Ghana on several projects and helped to launch Aid to Artisans Ghana (ATAG).  Follow the link http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ghana_to_reap__5_billion_from_non_traditional_exports ATA’s annual Holiday Craft Sale will be extended this year due to popular demand! Our Opening Night & Preview Sale will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. Your $10 admission fee includes a wine & cheese reception and first http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_holiday_craft_sale Author and economist William Easterly argued in his book "The White Man's Burden" that massive Western foreign aid in the postwar era have failed to produce sustainable growth in the Third World. He argued for smaller, smarter programs. Read http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/hands_across_the_globe Sr. Director of Program Services, Colleen Pendleton President, Alfredo Espinosa & Director of Global Initiatives, John Meyers ATA found itself in the spotlight this week in response to Walmart’s recent announcement of plans to launch a dedicated http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/walmart_announces___empowering_women____initiative "A Piece of Toast" blogger, Sally Ann Bernadette features ATA products from the latest West Elm fall collection.  Follow the link to read more.http://apieceoftoastblog.com/a-piece-of-toast/tag/aid-to-artisans http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/west_elm_features_ata_designs_in_fall_collection Sr. Director of Programs, Colleen Pendleton President, Alfredo Espinosa & Director of Global Initiatives, John MeyersATA found itself in the spotlight this week in response to Walmart’s recent announcement of plans to launch a dedicated page on http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/walmart_announces___empowering_women___initiative ATA partner west elm® was recently featured on NBC’s “Today Show” in a segment entitled “Luxury Looks at Affordable Prices.” Among the items featured were ATA paper mache animal sculptures from our project in Haiti. Click here to view the entire http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_products_featured_on_nbc___today_show___segment Recently ATA was honored by the 2011 New York International Gift Fair’s “SustainAbility: design for a better world®” as one of seven exhibitors whose “materials or production processes are environmentally-friendly…and corporate philosophies are http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_receives_nyigf_sustainability_award Today Piperlime launched an exclusive not-for-profit jewelry line designed by Project Runway winner Gretchen Jones and handmade by artisans in Bogota, Colombia.  Visit their website to order these unique pieces and view a video of the artisans at work.  http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/piperlime_launches_gretchen_jones_jewelry_line_to_benefit_ata Read what eco-blogger Matt Hickman has to say about West Elm's 2011 Fall catalog featuring items from ATA projects. http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/blogs/animal-attraction-west-elms-fall-menagerie http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/west_elm__s_2011_fall_catalog WEST ELM COLLABORATIONS: Aid to ArtisansOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AID TO ARTISANSSince 1976, Aid to artisans (ATA) has created economic opportunities for artisan groups around the world by linking them with new markets and buyers. In collaboration with ATA, we http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/west_elm_collaborations Former Aid to Artisans president Clare Smith was honored by the World Learning Institute with the World Learning Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award at the 2011 SIT Graduate ceremonies.  Smith, an alumna of the 1944 Experiment in International Living to http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/former_ata_president_honored Alfredo Espinosa comes to ATA after years of extensive international experience in business-to-business strategy development as well as in senior non-profit management in the cultural and sustainable development sectors. Most recently he worked with the http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/alfredo_espinosa_appointed_president_of_ata Alfredo Espinosa of New York City, former Senior Director for Global Business Development at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, will assume the ATA President position later in May. Espinosa, a native of Mexico, has had extensive experience http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_appoints_new_president   {auto-date} |{auto-title} Moroccan Craft and Tourism Promotion Study Completed ATA just completed a study of the need for promotion in the artisan and tourism sectors in the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, Morocco. ATA worked in collaboration with http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/funders___projects CLINTON BUSH HAITI FUND AWARDS ATA GRANT {auto-date} |{auto-title} With its Haitian Business Growth Fund, Aid to Artisans is rekindling the struggling handcraft industry...rebuilding the sector one artisan and one retailer at a time. In Haiti, artisans http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/clinton_bush_haiti_funding_granted Carol Sedestrom Ross We are greatly saddened by the news of Carol Sedestrom Ross's passing. The ATA family sends its condolences to Carol's family and friends during this difficult time. Aid to Artisans honored Carol, who was also a former board member, in http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/carol_sedestrom_ross___in_memoriam Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Visit Caribbean Craft in Haiti Last month, former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush toured Haiti to raise aid and investment for a country still rebuilding from a devastating January 12 earthquake. It is the http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/former_presidents_bush_and_clinton_visit_caribbean_craft_in_haiti {auto-date} |{auto-title} SARCDA International 2010, which took place from the 11th to the 14th of March in Johannesburg, was one of the final highlights for the three entrepreneurs taking part in Aid to Artisans South Africa Trust’s http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/atasa_entrepreneurs_turn_knowledge_into_action {auto-date} |{auto-title} It was two months ago that a devastating earthquake hit Haiti. The stories and images are no longer on the front pages of the newspapers, but the struggle for survival and recovery continues for the Haitian people on a daily http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/update__haitian_artisan_recovery_fund {auto-date} |{auto-title} Aid to Artisans is conducting a marketing training focusing on the tourist and eco markets Jordan. ATA’s Training Director and two market expert consultants are traveling to Ajloun, Salt, Wadi Rum and Wadi Moussa from July http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/news_from_jordan_training_program_in_progress_ {auto-date} |{auto-title} Aid to Artisans South Africa videos, directed and produced by Bailey Pryor, were just selected out of over 140 submissions as a finalist in the Lights. Camera. Help. Nonprofit Film Festival in Austin, Texas. ATA's video will http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_video_finalist_in_film_festival {auto-date} |{auto-title} On June 1, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in El Salvador joining officials from nearly 75 countries to celebrate the presidential inauguration of El Salvador’s first President from the FMLN party, Mauricio http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/secretary_of_state_hillary_clinton_visits_el_salvadoran_artisans {auto-date} |{auto-title} On May 6th, ATA consultant Kathy Erteman delivered a visual presentation on Yunnan, China for official country representatives during the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) meetings in New York City that took http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_helps_revive_pottery_tradition_in_china {auto-date} |{auto-title} Aid to Artisans is saddened by the news of the passing of Vincent Carleton and the ATA family sends its heart-felt condolences to his family and friends. Vincent was a gifted designer who worked with ATA on several projects http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/in_memoriam__vincent_carleton {auto-date} |{auto-title} Since October 2007, Aid to Artisans has undertaken two projects funded by the Pan American Development Foundation working with internally displaced people in Huila, Choco and Tolima Colombia. Colombia has about 3 million http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/displaced_by_civil_war___colombians_find_hope_and_work_in_craft ATA Board Member and President Emerita Honored with Prestigious AwardsClare Smith, President of Aid to Artisans from 1986-2005, will be honored on April 7th in Washington, D.C. with the prestigious "Founders Award for Civic Leadership," an http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_board_member_and_president_emerita_honored_with_prestigious_awards Aid to Artisans Makes History in Iraq…It’s hard to imagine that in continuous violence Iraqis are launching businesses—but they are.Iraqi women, like Halima Faraj, a war widow with children to feed, say they “don’t know what their future http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_launches_program_for_iraqi_entrepreneurs http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/the_financial_times {auto-date} |{auto-title} March 10 and 11 were exciting days at Aid to Artisans. We launched our first distance learning training program. This training marked the first of Aid to Artisans Distance Learning initiatives, which we plan to greatly expand http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_makes_history_in_iraq http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/npr_interview http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/the_hartford_courant {auto-date} |{auto-title} Arte Comasgua artisans create cards made from pressed and dried flowers and other natural materials. They first had export success about one year ago when Pottery Barn online sold their "lady" http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/more_growth_for_el_salvadoran_business {auto-date} |{auto-title} ATA returned from an exciting week at the New York International Gift Fair. West Elm, an innovative Williams Sonoma Inc. retailer, is currently sourcing silk pillows from India through ATA’s partner Craftmark. The pillows http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ata_in_action_at_the_nyigf http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/the_huffington_post Wall Street Journal website with article and video clips http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/the_wall_street_journal http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/hartford_magazine The 2008 REDY! Workshop was organized by Aid to Artisans with great success. For the first time, Aid to Artisans, in conjunction with its subsidiary organization Aid to Artisans South Africa Trust, facilitated the 2008 REDY! Workshop held November 18 - 19, http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/craft_sector_workshop_held_in_south_africa http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/traditional_home {auto-date} |{auto-title} For the first time, Aid to Artisans displayed crafts from its current projects in West Africa at the SIAO Trade Show October 31 - November 9, 2008 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. SIAO is Africa's largest handcraft http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/success_at_regional_trade_show_in_west_africa Aid to Artisans (ATA), a leading international nonprofit dedicated to economic development in the global artisan community, is pleased to announce the election of Eric O’Leary to its new Board of Directors Chair. “I am honored to http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/aid_to_artisans_elects_new_board_of_directors_chair http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/financial_times http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ode http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/house_beautiful http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/domino http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/ny_times_style_magazine http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/news/forbes_life Market Readiness Program August 17-21, 2013For more information and to download the Market Readiness application:http://www.aidtoartisans.org/what_we_do/business_training/market_readiness_program/ Aid to Artisans has the most comprehensive and relevant http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/market_readiness_program New York International Gift Fair August 18-21, 2012 Jacob Javits Convention Center Aid to Artisans will be exhibiting new and exciting product collections from Colombia, Egypt and Haiti. Visit us in the Handmade section at the Level Four Galleria http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/2012_new_york_international_gift_fair   http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/test_event The Vietnam International Gift & Housewares Fair (Lifestyle Vietnam 2012) will be held April 18-21, 2012 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS A PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE VISIT FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPANY, HERE ARE SERVICES THAT WILL BE http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/lifestyle_vietnam_2012 ATA is excited to be showing at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) January 28th-February 2nd, 2012. We’re featuring new products from Haiti and Egypt and are previewing products from our latest partner, Vietcraft. You can find us in the http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/2012_new_york_international_gift_fair  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOxLObnAAY http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/aid_to_artisans_craft_sale ATA’s annual Holiday Craft Sale will be extended this year due to popular demand! Our Opening Night & Preview Sale will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. Your $10 admission fee includes a wine & cheese reception and first http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/ata_2011_holiday_craft_sale ATA’s 2011 Holiday Craft Sale will be extended this year due to popular demand! Our Opening Night & Preview Sale will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. Your $10 admission fee includes a wine & cheese reception and first http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/ata_2011_holiday_craft_sale Please visit ATA at Celebrate! West Hartford on Saturday, June 11 & Sunday, June 12, 2011. Celebrate! West Hartford is a highly attended, annual tradition that attracts over 30,000 people each year, Celebrate! also provides festival attendees with http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/celebrate__west_hartford Moroccan Craft and Tourism Promotion Study Completed ATA just completed a study of the needs for promotion in the artisan and tourism sectors in the medinas of Fes and Marrakech, Morocco. ATA worked in collaboration with Solimar International to coordinate http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/promoting_moroccan_craft Annual Gala is a Huge SuccessPhoto: Rick Gilbert/SkyhookEntertainment.net     (from L to R): Magalie Dresse, Joel Dresse, Maya Romanoff, Joyce Romanoff The 2010 Aid to Artisans Awards Gala and Silent Auction was held on Tuesday, November 2nd at http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/annual_gala_was_a_huge_success_ http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/siao_trade_show Atlanta Gift and Home Furnishings Market July 16 - 20, 2010 AmericasMart, Atlanta, GA Aid to Artisans will be exhibiting new and exicting collections from Egypt, El Salvador, and Haiti. Please come visit us at Booth 804 in the Handcrafted Design section, http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/atlanta_gift_and_home_furnishings_market Southern African Handcraft & Ndebele Art Exhbition June 11 - July 11, 2010 Please join us for the exhibition preview and opening on June 10 from 12pm to 3pm. Drinks and snacks will be served. Secure parking is available at Bassline (accessible from http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/southern_africa_handcraft___ndebele_art_exhibition The premier home accessories and gift market trade show in the U.S. with 2,700+ exhibitors and 40,000 buyers attending. ATA will have a booth with the latest product collections from our programs. For more information, click here for the New York http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/new_york_international_gift_fair 2009 Aid to Artisans Awards Founded in 2002, the Aid to Artisans Awards recognizes individuals and institutions that have changed the nature of the handmade world through their talent and determination. Their work and lives have furthered the cause of http://www.aidtoartisans.org/news_and_events/events/2009_aid_to_artisans_awards