Jothashilpa values Fair Trade. We support local artisans directly with fair terms of trade and we take pride that our values remain a constant source of inspiration for them. We believe transparency and recognition is an inseparable part of what we do here at Jothashilpa.

We focus on developing suitable working environment for the rural female artists as well as the urban local artisan. Women empowerment and community development are two of our foremost areas of emphasis. Jothashilpa champions and practices inclusion and diversity in its workforce at every level of the organization. We are committed to ensure that we engage, support and recognize the value of the artisan’s work from different communities regardless of their race, religion, gender and ethnicity.

Contemporary and traditional Artists/Artisans are main strength of our production system. Around 2665 contemporary and traditional artists/artisans who are living in different areas of Bangladesh are involve in production system with Jothashilpa. These artists are expert in various kind of paintings, terracotta art, bamboo and cane works, weaving, hand embroidery, jute crafts, clay works, woodworks, rickshaw art, cinema banner, jewelry, metal crafts, binding, printing and so on.

Cinema Banner Painting Workshop 2016

A 5-day long Cinema Banner Painting workshop was organized by Jothashilpa in association with NNEDF in December 2016. Traditional Cinema Banner painters Mohammad Shoaib and Sukumar Dhar has conducted the workshop while artist and researcher Shawon Akand curated the event. The workshop was held at Singair, Manikganj and was attended by artists of different disciplines and schools across the country.

Art Workshop for Children at LEEDO Peace Home in 2017

Jothashilpa organized a 3-day art workshop for the children of LEEDO Peace Home (a charity organization working for street children).

Cinema Banner Painting Workshop 2019

Jothashilpa organized a weeklong Cinema Banner Painting workshop in association with The Samdani Artists Led Initiatives Forum from October 5 to 11, 2019. The workshop was held in the Jothashilpa Studio at Adabor, Dhaka. Master artist Mohammad Shoaib conducted the workshop while 5 selected artists participated under artist and researcher Shawon Akand’s curation.

Diversified Jamdani Product Design Workshop 2020

Jothashilpa and Pidim Foundation in collaboration with PKSF (Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation) has organized a workshop on diversified Jamdani product designing. Shawon Aakand (Director of Jothashilpa, artist & researcher) and Shamim Reza (Assistant Professor, Fine Art, Jahangirnagar University) conducted the workshop. Students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Shanto- Mariam University of Creative Technology, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology along with designers and representatives of various fashion houses participated in this workshop. The workshop was held on 10 & 11 March 2020 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Artist in Residency

Delhi based multi-disciplinary artist Tapati Chowdhury was an artist in residence at Jothashilpa from mid-June to mid-July in 2017. During her time at Jothashilpa Tapati had the opportunity to explore the local art scene of Bangladesh, develop relationships with local artisans and collaborated with them in creating artworks with new designs. She later talked about her experience and learnings in an artist’s talk program organized by Jothashilpa.

Publications

“Sixes” (Six-word stories) by Hossain Al Mamun