Arts and Crafts Fair Supports Local Women Entrepreneurs

Featured works included traditional crafts such as embroidery, wool and felt items (Photo: U.S. Embassy)

On June 23, 2012, the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section organized an arts and crafts fair by local Turkmen women. These women entrepreneurs showed works of arts as well as many handcrafts, including embroidery, woolens, clothing and decorative items. Open to the general public, the event was held at the Embassy’s Information Resource Center.

This arts and crafts fair was one of the U.S. Embassy’s women empowerment programs. In July, 2011, the U.S. Department of State organized a Women Economic Symposium for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which Turkmen women attended. Events such as this keep up the momentum so that Turkmen women can continue to build upon their chosen fields of work. Most recently, in May 2012, the Embassy hosted Linda LaBelle, a well-known and respected American natural dye and fabric expert. Her program in Ashgabat and other regions included workshops and master classes which included such local women handcraft masters.