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Empower, Celebrate, Create.

Cultural Programs

  • Turkish Traditional Puppet Show on May 19’22

    By master puppeteer Ayhan Hulagu at

    Brookmont Social Hall, Bethesda.

    Made possible by a grant from

    Maryland State Arts Council.

    Click here to see the video.

  • ELIF URAS – Artist Talk on Oct.28’22

    At Strathmore Cultural Center, Bethesda.

    Made possible by a grant from the

    Arts and Humanities Council of MC.

    Click here to see the video.

  • Culinary Trip to Turkey on Oct 3-13, 2023

    Sold Out. Please let us know if you’d be interested in our future cultural tour to Turkey.

Earthquake Relief Effort - 2

Help artisans in Antakya (ancient Antioch) rebuild their workshops after the devastating earthquakes & preserve ancient cultural heritage for future generations!

Today, we are asking your help to revitalize the work of three accomplished artisans in Antakya: Nahya Guzelyurt (quilt-maker), Menel Huzmeli (mosaic artist), and Refik Buyukasik (silk-weaver). 100% of the donations will go directly to artisans. No amount is too small! We will provide transparent updates to all our supporters. Antakya is one of the hardest earthquake-hit cities; its tremendously rich, ancient cultural heritage is now in peril.

Your support will not only help individual artisans to rebuild their lives, but will help preserve our shared human heritage! We started a GoFundMe campaign and are counting on your support! Please click on this link and learn more about the 3 artisans and their work. Thank you for your support.

Earthquake Relief Effort – 1

On March 9 our initial relief effort took place at the GW Textile Museum in cooperation with the ONE – Organization of Networks for Empathy founder Elif Gokcigdem. Elif guided the participants to explore the nature of empathy through art while visiting the Prayer and Transcendence exhibition that included exquisite rugs from Turkey. Arts and crafts from the earthquake region made by our artisans were on sale. Proceeds from the sale were sent to the victims of the earthquake. Thank you for your support!

Empower. Celebrate. Create. 

ANATOLIAN ARTISANS  is  a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of low-income artisans and raising awareness about arts and culture of Turkey. Our mission is unique and multifaceted. First and foremost, we provide sustainable economic benefits to low-income artisans through product development, marketing and training. We also organize exhibitions, festivals, fairs, cultural tours, and seminars to raise awareness about the arts and culture of our beloved Turkey.

 
 

Soma Project

Rebuilding the lives of mining families

The Soma Project is an income-generation project for the women of Soma, Manisa, Turkey, whose lives were devastated by the major mining disaster of May 2014. 

 
 
 
 
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10+

Micro-business management courses offered 

Over the years, we have introduced courses in micro-business management to local communities. Women who have attended our programs have gone on to improve or launch their own businesses.   

 

18+

Years Serving local artisans

We have been serving local Turkish communities in need as well as promoting Turkish culture and educating the Turkish diaspora in the West for almost two decades. 

 
 

200+

Women Artisans trained

The effects of our trainings radiate beyond statistics. The women artisans we have trained have gone on to train others in their local communities and beyond.