Title: Kohna zari ko کهنه زری ک Pop Up Mending Shop https://turningoldtogold.co.nz/
Creator: New Settlers Family and Community Trust (NFACT)
Artform: Craft, Event
Timeframe: 10am – 4pm, over two days. Dates TBC.
Location: Mangere Arts Centre
With support from Objectspace and Arts Broker Renee Tanner a digital shopfront was established last year to create a way for small mending, alteration and upcycling projects to be commissioned. Customers can commission a small project through the online shopfront and the job will be completed by members of the group. The digital shopfront also showcases work that the group does and offers opportunities for people to connect with the group’s kaupapa.
The Kohna zari ko – Pop Up Mending Shop is a pop up physical mending space proposed for within Mangere Arts Centre. It will be an opportunity for people to learn more about the venture, commission a small job in person and learn more about the group in general. The group has the equipment to facilitate the pop up event. The grant will provide support with the group member’s expenses, venue hire, signage and publicity.
The pop up would run for two days, 10am – 4pm. Over these two days, the women would complete small mending and alteration projects and work on upcycling commissions. There would be an opportunity for people who stop by to talk through future commissions and learn more about the group’s work.
Fahima Saeid has been working with the New Settlers Family and Community Trust to create opportunities to empower migrant and refugee women, while continuing making traditions and practices from home.
“Through her regular sewing groups, Fahima has been able to create a space for refugee and ethnic women to learn new skills, connect with others and gain confidence for engaging in their new communities. Kohna Zari Ko - the online shopfront allows the group to create revenue in the future for themselves and build confidence in their abilities, while expressing their creative skills. The Pop-Up event is a way to raise awareness of the groups services, gain customers and support for their creative enterprise” – Arts Broker, Renee Tanner
