DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 26!
Weave a Real Peace (WARP) is an international textile organization that supports artisans, offers scholarship grants, and holds an annual meeting to bring together textile makers and appreciators to talk about all things weaving, cloth, and community. I have belonged to this organization for many years, organized its Oaxaca annual conference in 2017, and find it to be very satisfying to be a member.
I’ve offered to help spread the word about submitting applications for scholarships to help individuals and organizations improve their capacity. All textile artisans are invited. They may need help with the application based on language skills — so if you work with a Mexican weaving cooperative, we hope you will jump right in and help them submit an application in the next week. Thank you.
Here is the application information:
Dear Friends of WARP, There is one week left to apply for a 2023 WARP Artisan Support Grant! Please help us spread the word: Textile artisans from any country are welcome to apply. WARP is offering one-time grants of up to $500 for individual artisans and up to $1,000 for artisan groups. This year, we are providing two grant options: one for Basic Needs and one for Development. This reflects the fact that while many artisans may still need COVID or other emergency support, others are transitioning out of an emergency situation and now have needs that are more development-oriented. The application deadline is March 19th, 2023. The link to the electronic application form is below, with details about this year’s grant program. Please share this announcement with any textile artisan or artisan group you think would benefit from this grant.For any grant related questions, please contact Diane Manning, WARP Grants Committee Chair, at dkmanning@gmail.com.Best wishes,WARP Grant Committee |
Here is the LINK TO THE ELECTRONIC APPLICATION.
Use the electronic form to submit, but I’ve included the language of the grant application below.
2023 WARP Textile Artisan Grant Application
Weave a Real Peace (WARP) is a catalyst for improving the quality of life for textile artisans worldwide. We are an inclusive global network of individuals and organizations who value the social, cultural, historic, artistic, and economic importance of textile arts. Learn more about WARP at: www.weavearealpeace.org.
We are delighted to announce that, for 2023, WARP will again award monetary grants to textile artisan communities in need.
This year, WARP is offering two grant options: one for Basic Needs and one for Development. This reflects the fact that while many artisans may still need COVID or other emergency support, others are transitioning out of an emergency situation and now have needs that are more development-oriented.
- Basic Needs: This option is for applicants who are still experiencing hardship due to continuing effects of COVID or other circumstances such as drought, extreme heat, or floods.
- Basic needs could include but are not limited to: food or seeds for food crops, medical care/medicines, clothing, utilities, dependent care, education, or housing.
- Development: This option is for applicants who are seeking to grow their business coming out of COVID.
- Development needs could include but are not limited to: artisan supplies (dye garden, wood for loom, fiber), equipment (sewing machines, looms, etc.), marketing materials (camera, product photography), technology (cell phones, computer, etc.), training (need to specify what, whom, where), and travel (to attend trade fairs, markets).
NOTE: You may apply for a Basic Needs Grant or a Development Grant, but not both.
Eligibility Criteria:
Textile artisans from any country are welcome to apply.
If you are applying for a Basic Needs Grant, you must describe in your own words what you require and how specifically this grant will help you.
If you are applying for a Development Grant you must articulate a plan that includes specific information about what you want to do, how you want to do it, how much it will cost, and how it will help you grow your business.
Total grants will be up to $500 for individual/family applicants and up to $1,000 for associations/coops/businesses.
You may submit more than one grant application: i.e., one for yourself, and one or more for artisans and/or artisan groups with whom you have a relationship. However, you may not combine applications. Each application will be considered separately.
You may apply for a 2023 WARP grant whether or not you applied for or received a grant from WARP in a previous year.
Timeline:
Deadline to submit completed applications: March 19, 2023. Only applications submitted during this timeline will be accepted.
Grant recipients will be notified: April 14, 2023. Grant funds will be disbursed as soon as possible after grantee notification
Grantees confirm receipt of funds via email: As soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after receipt of funds
Summary written report stating how funds were used (form will be provided): July 17, 2023
Questions?
Contact Diane Manning, WARP Grants Committee Chair, at dkmanning@gmail.com.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
No person shall be denied membership or participation in any of WARP’s activities or operations on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
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BASIC NEEDS GRANT APPLICATION
NOTE: You may apply for a Development Grant or a Basic Needs Grant, but not both.
If you are applying for a Development Grant, please skip this section and go directly to the Development Grant Section below.
You may submit more than one grant application: i.e., one for yourself, and one or more for artisans and/or artisan groups with whom you have a relationship. However, you may not combine applications. Each application will be considered separately.
Please select one:
I am applying as an Individual/Family (you may request up to $500 USD)
I am applying as an Association/Cooperative/Multi-household group (You may request up to $1,000 USD)
I am requesting the following amount:
Your answer
Please describe what emergency you are experiencing (for example: COVID 19, drought, flood, earthquake, war, etc.)
Your answer
Describe how the emergency has impacted you/your family/household or group? Please provide as much detail as possible.
Your answer
How specifically do you plan to use this Basic Needs Grant? Grants may be used for essentials including medical needs, child/elder care, housing, utilities, food, and seeds for growing crops, etc.
The more details you provide, the better the Grants Committee can evaluate your application. If not enough details are provided to fully assess how the grant funds will be used, a grant will not be awarded.
Your answer
How many artisans (family/household members/group) would benefit from this grant request?
Your answer
How long have you and/or your family/household/group been creating textiles?
Your answer
What type of textile do you produce?
Your answer
Where do you make and sell your textiles?
Your answer
Please attach up to 3 images of your work here. If you are unable to upload the files, please send images to info@weavearealpeace.org. We must see examples of your work for the grant application to be considered.
Add file
Provide any additional information that will support your application. This will help the Grants Committee better understand your needs and how you will use the funds.
Your answer
DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION
NOTE: You may apply for a Development Grant or a Basic Needs Grant, but not both.
If you applied for a Basic Needs Grant above, please skip this section and go directly to the bottom to submit your application.
You may submit more than one grant application: i.e., one for yourself, and one or more for artisans and/or artisan groups with whom you have a relationship. However, you may not combine applications. Each application will be considered separately.
Please select one:
I am applying as an Individual/Family (you may request up to $500 USD)
I am applying as an Association/Cooperative/Multi-household group (You may request up to $1,000 USD)
I am requesting the following amount:
Your answer
Please describe your 2023 development plan and how specifically your business will benefit from this Development Grant.
(For example, I/we want to expand our 2023 production by 20%, or I /we want to send 5 people to a training workshop so that we can improve the quality of our designs.)
The more details you provide, the better the Grants Committee can evaluate your application. If not enough details are provided to fully assess how the grant funds will be used, a grant will not be awarded.
Your answer
Describe the specific requirements to execute your plan. These could include, but is not limited to:
– artisan supplies (dye garden, wood for loom, fiber)
– equipment (sewing machines, looms, etc.),
– marketing materials (camera, product photography),
– technology (cell phones, computer, etc.),
– training (need to specify what, whom, where),
– travel (to attend trade fairs, markets).
Your answer
Submit a budget that lists the cost for each item you will need to accomplish the plan described above.
For example, if your plan states that you needed 5 sewing machines to increase production, your budget would state the following:
– I/we will purchase 5 new sewing machines
– Each one costs $100
– Total grant request: $500
Your answer
How many artisans (family/household members/group) would benefit from this grant request?
Your answer
How long have you and/or your family/household/group been creating textiles?
Your answer
What type of textile do you produce?
Your answer
Where do you make and sell your textiles?
Your answer
Please attach up to 3 images of your work here. If you are unable to upload the files, please send images to info@weavearealpeace.org. We must see examples of your work for the grant application to be considered.
Add file
Provide any additional information that will support your application. This will help the Grants Committee better understand your needs and how you will use the funds.
Your answer
WARP Takes a Oaxaca Textile Study Tour with Norma Schafer, Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC
Last Saturday, 70 WARP conference-goers divided up and piled into four red vans to go on an all-day natural dye textile and weaving study tour that I organized.
At the Montaño family weavers who make beautiful bags
We left our Oaxaca hotel at 9:30 a.m. and didn’t return until after 7:00 p.m. (and in a rain storm). It takes much longer to move 70 people than it does to lead a small group of three!
Weaver Alfredo Hernandez wearing a wild marigold-cochineal dyed scarf
Of course, I couldn’t be on all four vans at once, so I had great help from dye master Elsa Sanchez Diaz, applied linguist Janet Chavez Santiago, and blogger Shannnon Pixley Sheppard who staffed the other three.
Lunch at Tierra Antigua Restaurant, Teotitlan del Valle
Thanks to them and a schedule that brought us all together for lunch and an end-of-the-day reunion, the day went off without a hiccup.
Program Chair Judy Newland adds cochineal to her indigo hair
We hopscotched all over Teotitlan del Valle and made a detour to Lachigolo to visit weavers I know who work in naturally-dyed wool and cotton.
Lola (Dolores) and Fe (Federico) demonstrate over-dyeing techniques
We got demonstrations of the natural dye process, tapestry loom weaving techniques using the fixed frame, two-harness pedal loom used to make rugs.
In the studio of Galeria Fe y Lola — Federico and Dolores
We saw the flying shuttle, four-harness loom that can make yards of cotton cloth with more intricate patterning depending on the sequencing of the foot pedals. The cloth woven for clothing and home goods.
Preparing warp threads for flying shuttle loom
Most importantly, we had the opportunity to meet each family, understand how they work in collaboration and in family units, and see how they are inspired to make very distinctive products from each other.
Francisco Martinez takes pericone — wild marigold — from dye vat
Every family has their own dye recipes and design adaptations. Some are doing very pioneering work, combining wool and agave plant fiber.
Aztecs used dyed chicken feathers to add color to white cotton – revitalized now
Some are doing very fine wall tapestries with 17 warp threads per inch. It is wonderful to see the range and variety of creativity and inspiration.
Alfredo’s son prepares bobbins for the loom — a family endeavor
Alfredo collaborates with Ayutla embroiderer Anacleta Juarez
Alfredo Hernandez weaves the natural manta with the finest cotton threads. Then embroiderer Anacleta Juarez creates the most detailed, intricate finely stitched work I’ve ever seen.
Wild marigold fixes with a local plant called marush
On day one, cultural anthropologist Marta Turok Wallace talked about the importance of collaboration to further innovation that will sustain tradition.
A shady respite along the way — Judy, Ana Paula, Gail, Patrice
Isaac and his mom, Maria de Lourdes, wash the wool before it goes into the dye bath
Wool tapestries with natural dyes, with Francisco Martinez
We gathered at the end of the day at the home workshop and studio of Porfirio Gutierrez and his family for traditional hot chocolate, bread, mezcal and a demonstration. Big thanks, Porfirio, for your hospitality to welcome 70 people!
Cochineal grows on prickly pear cactus paddles behind Porfirio Gutierrez
The family is working in wool dyed with natural plant materials and cochineal. They are innovating with rug designs that resemble a petate that incorporates plant fibers like jute and ixtle.
Two dye masters huddle: Elsa Sanchez Diaz and Juana Gutierrez, Porfirio’s sister
Wrapping up a petate design rug to go — a combo of jute and indigo!
In the courtyard, Francisco and Patrice talk about possibilities
Behind a wall, a flying shuttle loom workshop awaits us
Shopping for napkins and tablecloths made on the flying shuttle loom
Sales assistant in training!
Juana and her 6 months-old granddaughter
Cochineal dyed cotton out to dry on the line
Almost every weaver here knows how to prepare a demonstration using natural dyes. Many have the materials on hand to show visitors. Yet, it takes half the time to prepare wool using aniline dyes as it does to prepare natural dyes. The dye materials are 10 times more expensive.
Cochineal and indigo dye wool
Some say that about 10 to 15 Teotitlan del Valle families may actually use natural dyes in their work. (I don’t know the exact number.) If this is important to you, you may want to join one of our one-day study tours to take you to them. The price will be higher for these beauties, but there is a distinctive difference in color palette and quality.
On the van, WARP conference Oaxaca
WARP president Cindy Lair with Montaño family
The little red vans that could! Gracias, Silvia and Cesar.
One more post about the WARP Conference in Oaxaca, 2017, and the walking tour of the historic center that Janet and I led last Sunday. We explored the nooks and crannies, found paper earring for Louise, good strong coffee for Diane. In two outstanding galleries, we had talks from owners and managers about quality differences in materials, dyes, and hand-looming.
Tying pom poms on purse zippers, Montaño family
Thanks to WARP for coming to Oaxaca, and thanks to you for reading.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Teotitlan del Valle, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving, Travel & Tourism, Workshops and Retreats
Tagged Mexico, natural dyes, Oaxaca, textile tour, WARP, weaving