We want to take this opportunity to highlight an upcoming event that will truly define and provide a platform for growth for the craft market in Kenya. When we hear about craft, its easy to think of maasai market and associate it with mass produced, cheap trinkets and souvenirs. However, the Afrika Handmade Symposium fosucing on contemporary craft and design will shed more light on the real craft market and existing brands.
While the maasai market is indeed a part of the craft sector, there has been the emergence of a new craft – a contemporary genre that challenges the narrow definition associated with the market scenario. This genre employs skilled craftsmanship- combining distinctly African elements with modern design trends to create items that are innovative, unique and that answer to global market demands. Afrika Handmade aims to put this exciting new genre on a pedestal.
Afrika Handmade is a 2day symposium focusing on the contemporary craft and design sector in Kenya slated for 2nd and 3rd October 2014 at the Jacaranda Hotel in Westlands. The symposium is a market development initiative that is expected to generate greater visibility for the contemporary craft and design sector while opening up new market opportunities, especially within Kenya’s growing middle class.
Craft Afrika is looking to create the most informative, dynamic and engaging event of the year for the craft & design sector. They want to create an opportunity for you to interact with some of the biggest and most influential players in Kenya’s and by large Africa’s contemporary craft & design space.
Through panel presentations, mini workshops, open spaces and one-on-one mentorship sessions, a diverse number of speakers will engage on a wide range of topics including how to tap into domestic and regional markets, impacting communities through social enterprise, current market trends, copyright and much more. Equally important are the social networking events planned each end of day. Featuring some of Kenya’s best live performances, these informal sessions will undoubtedly be a hit!
We took the opportunity to ask them a few questions.
Email: craft@craftafrika.org
Facebook: Craft Afrika
Twitter: @CraftAfrika