Jul 27, 2012

GLM Partners With Hand/Eye Fund For Artisan Resource Launch

Through an exclusive partnership with the HAND/EYE Fund, an independent, international organization which supports skilled artisans, GLM will extend the promotion of its summer 2012 launch of Artisan Resource™ to HAND/EYE Magazine’s global readership, which includes artisans, exporters, designers, artists, wholesalers and importers, retailers, and consumers interested in artisanal design. Artisan Resource is a new semi-annual tradeshow launching this summer at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), August 19-21, 2012, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92, offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers.

Central to the partnership is HAND/EYE Magazine’s email distribution and Facebook posting of 12 profiles of Artisan Resource participants. HAND/EYE Magazine is an international print and online publication which explores the nexus between design and development, culture and commerce, art and craft, and environment and ethics. The 12 Artisan Resource exhibitors to be profiled by HAND/EYE include: ABN (Haiti), Caribbean Craft (Haiti), Eco Tasar (India). Haiti Projects (Haiti), La Casa Cotzal (Guatemala), MonkeyBiz (South Africa), Noah’s Ark (India), Sapia (Colombia), Tilonina (India, Mexico), Source (South Africa) and Zardozi (Afghanistan).

“By launching this platform to link these producers with the volume market, GLM is significantly contributing to the economic success of global artisans,” said Keith Recker, HAND/EYE president. “We’re enthusiastic to share stories of these talented producers with impassioned fans of the artisanal world.”

“Our collaboration with the HAND/EYE Fund extends our reach as we promote artisanal resources from around the world,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “HAND/EYE is recognized not only as a leading advocate of skilled artisans, but also as a strong proponent of the cultural and economic impact of preservation of their ancient techniques.”

As part of the new partnership, HAND/EYE also will exhibit in Artisan Resource, providing complimentary copies of HAND/EYE Magazine to all Artisan Resource exhibitors, and copies of HAND/EYE’s 05/World Textiles issue to Artisan Resource attendees. Additionally, a representative will assist with a HAND/EYE juried display of Artisan Resource products to be located on the exhibit floor.

In addition to these activites, NYIGF will cross-promote Artisan Resource to NYIGF participants through its SustainAbility: design for a better world® display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The display will provide details about the material, fair trade practices and sustainable production processes of nine Artisan Resource exhibitors: Afrikiko, Belart, Caribbean Craft, Get Paper Industry, Greenarte, Noah’s Ark, Sapia, Source and Umeed. The summer 2012 SustainAbility display, curated by Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions, will feature 165 products from 70 companies, all of which utilize eco-friendly products and production processes, and follow socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented business practices.

The HAND/EYE Fund, in conjunction with HAND/EYE Magazine, works to sustain professional artisans in their struggle to earn decent livelihoods through preservation of ancient traditions, innovation of new ones, exploration of new markets, and educating the consuming public about the cultural and economic importance of their work. HAND/EYE’s goal is to engender intelligent debate among artisans, exporters, designers, artists, wholesalers and importers, retailers, and consumers so that all may make smart, ethical, and inspired decisions about their activities. For information, visit www.handeyemagazine.com.

Artisan Resource is a semi-annual tradeshow offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers and production facility. It will offer a production-sourcing venue for overseas artisan enterprises to showcase their products and production capabilities – at export terms – from their country of origin.

The first edition, which takes place August 19-21, 2012, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal 92, will feature exhibitors from Afghanistan, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru and South Africa.

For exhibitor information, contact Allison Rober, sales manager, at GLM, by phone (914-421-3212) or email arober@glmshows.com. Attendee information is available by calling 1-800-272-SHOW (7469) or (212) 204-1060. Additional information and registration is available online at www.artisanresourceny.com.