crafts of kutch
INDIA
BHUJ, INDIA
December 1 - 7, 2024
2 SPACES LEFT
$3,450 USD PER PERSON, SHARED ROOM
$3,950 USD PER PERSON, PRIVATE ROOM
This December, join us for an immersive exploration of the storied tradition of generational craft practices in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. Encompassing the expansive Rann salt marsh, Kutch has long been a place of nomadic peoples moving in relation to the seasons and trade while practicing their craft.
In this 8-day experience, we’ll practice spinning, weaving, copper bell forging, and elaborate embroidery techniques across Kutch, where artisan practices have been remarkably well-preserved over the years. We’ll anchor our focus on the endemic materials and practices of the area, working with heirloom kala cotton, sheep’s wool, the ajrakh form of block printing, and more, all while learning about the contextual forces that have shaped this region and its craft.
This intimate experience is limited to 10 guests, maximum. We will stay in a rural boutique hotel in the quaint town of Bhujodi.
OUR PARTNERS
Shamji Vankar Vishram Valji
Shamji is a celebrated textile artist, who continues the lineage of his families traditions while finding new ways to innovate the traditional textiles. Shamji is a skilled at spinning and handloom weaving, with focus on kala cotton and local desi wool. In more recent years, he and his family have begun incorporating silk in their textiles as well.
Abdulla Khatri
Abdullah and his brother Abduljabbar learned the art of bandhani (elevated and highly technically tie and dye) from their mother. They have since opened the studio SIDR craft, which has an in-house dye studio and employs over 300 dyers. Their work has been exhibited internationally and they have been contracted by celebrated brands such as 11:11 to help execute designs.
Janmamad Salemamad Luhar
Janmamad lives in a small Muslim town called Zura, north of Bhuj, where he and his family have been working for generations to create copper coated bells. These bells were traditionally used by nomadic sheep herders while caring for their flocks. The bells are now designed in a larger range of styles and used in more diverse settings.
Meet trip co-host, textile artist Jessie Mordine Young
Jessie Mordine Young (b. England, 1993) is a Brooklyn-based artist who researches, writes about, curates, makes and teaches textile art.
She believes that textiles can be carriers of empathy, memory, and lived experience and that they are evidence of humanity. This sentiment is at the root of her art practice. In one of her more recent bodies of work, she embarked on a project of creating daily artworks, which she calls “woven drawings” or “thread sketches.” These pieces directly connect to her experiences in nature, where color and texture become tangible references to sites, sounds, and forms she finds when immersed in the landscape. Jessie is also enamored by the alchemy of the dye vat; she often paints her yarn and woven fabrics through a natural dye process and by thoughtfully sourcing plant matter.
She earned her BFA in Fiber and Material Studies and Art History from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and an MA in Material Culture, Design History and Object Study from the Bard Graduate Center in NYC. She is also a part-time faculty at Parsons School of Design. Through extensively researching various craft histories in her academic and former curatorial practice, she has developed an appreciation for slow, thoughtful acts of making as an act of autonomy.
Jessie’s has family members from Ahmedabad and Delhi, India, and grew up visiting regularly. She will offer the group a more rich experience, sharing her relationship with textiles and India.
TRIP DETAILS
DATES:
December 1 - 7, 2024
PRICING + PAYMENT:
$3,450usd per person shared room
$3,950 per person private room
A non-refundable deposit it required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience on this page at least two months prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program.
COST INCLUDES:
In-Country Transportation: Pick up and drop off from the Bhuj airport or train station, or Kandla airport, as well as private group transportation during our scheduled activities.
Accommodation: Accommodation in a heritage guesthouse in Bhuj. Prices vary depending on preference of single or double occupancy rooms. Only two single occupancy rooms are available.
Food + chai: A selection of wholesome mostly vegetarian meals at our hotel and restaurants in town. All meals are included, starting with a welcome dinner and ending with a final breakfast.
Art Education: Workshops and studio visits focusing on textile and other crafts of the region. During this experience we will visit close to approximately 10 different families and artisan groups.
Craft Supplies: You will be provided with the necessary raw materials and tools to create works of your own during our workshops together.
Additional Experiences: While we are not creating, we will visit museums, and the Rann desert.
Support: Thread Caravan founder Caitlin Garcia-Ahern, artist Jessie Mordine Young and a local guide will accompany the group for the duration of the trip, offering participants their combined knowledge of the country, while making sure everything runs smoothly. In addition, Thread Caravan staff is available to answer questions and assist with trip preparations beforehand.
Gift: Special welcome gift upon arrival.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Sprout and Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to India. Please contact us if you’d like us to plant additional trees on your behalf.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare: We've found that flights from the U.S. cost approximately $600 - $1000, varying depending on the airline and how far in advance you book. We recommend a RT flight to Ahmedabad, and then separate domestic transportation to Kutch. Please read below for more instruction.
Personal Travel Insurance: We require all participants to have personal travel insurance. This will cover things like illness, flight cancellations, theft, etc. We can suggest insurance providers if needed.
Alcohol Gujarat is a dry state. Alcohol will not be available at restaurants or shops. .
GETTING THERE AND AWAY:
Kutch is located in the state of Gujarat, of which Ahmedabad is the capital. Guests who choose to spend time in Ahmedabad before or after our time together may contact our team for suggestions. Ahmedabad highlights include the Calico textile museum, the Gandhi ashram and visits to textile studios.
During our trip together, we will be based in Bhuj, and taking day trips to visit nearby communities. Guests may fly into the Bhuj or Kandla domestic airports, or take the train from Ahmedabad to the Bhuj train station.
The most stress-free travel route is likely a RT international flight from your home country to Delhi, overnighting in Delhi, and then a domestic RT flight from Delhi to Bhuj or Kandla airport. In Bhuj or Kandla, our team will pick you up at the airport upon arrival.
If you have questions about transportation options, please contact us.
VISA + Passport: Travelers going to India must obtain a tourist visa. In most cases (including if you are a US resident), you can apply and pay for your e-Tousist visa online, or you may take your passport to an embassy near you. Indian tourist visas cost approximately $60 USD. *All travelers must apply for visas immediately after reserving space on the workshop.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Scheduling: While we plan to stick to the schedule, India is full of surprises and our schedule is subject to change at the last minute. If you keep an open mind and are flexible, this will be a truly enriching experience. All plans and schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the Thread Caravan team.
Preparing for India: India is the land of sensory stimulation! Creating a safe and mindful itinerary with authentic, unforgettable experiences is what we are striving for. This trip should be considered an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. We want you to be excited and prepare yourself for this journey of a lifetime. We encourage reading about Indian culture beforehand.
This trip is not a resort experience. We will be sharing rooms in a beautiful and intimate boutique hotel. In a land of over a billion people, privacy is a prized notion, so please prepare accordingly. Going with the flow has been our mantra and has helped us find little, unexpected moments of joy along the way.Dietary Restrictions: Many dishes in India contain garlic, yogurt and dairy. While we can accommodate some dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian), please contact us in advance to see if we can accommodate your dietary needs.
Mobility Requirements: This trip includes urban and rural walks as well as shuttle commutes. Please contact us in advance if you have specific mobility requirements.
Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations, measles, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Covid vaccinations are suggested by the Center for Disease Control in order to visit India.
Physical Abilities: Ensuring you have a strong immune system before travel will help your trip experience be more enjoyable. Please make sure you are eating healthy meals, are well rested and are in good health before and during travel. If you have any pending health concerns, please consult with your doctor before reserving your space on the trip, and of course, please contact us if you have any questions.
BOOKING TERMS + CONDITIONS
Travelers must agree to Thread Caravan's Booking Terms and Conditions in order to join this experience.
