Waukegan Art Gallery Displays Handcrafted Rug Collection
Waukegan, IL (PRWEB) August 29, 2013 -- On August 17th, Urban Edge Gallery revealed their new gallery which features wool rugs that were handmade by Afghan women who once lived in harsh conditions. Arzu Studio Hope is a non-profit business that is dedicated to improve the life of impoverished women who are skilled at rug weaving, according to an August 16th article posted by the Chicago Sun Times.
Founded by Connie Duckworth in 2004, Azru Studio Hope is dedicated to helping women in war torn Afghanistan make a better living. All of the women have struggled to make money and have all reported better quality of life since working with Azru Studio Hope.
Duckworth was sent on an aid mission to Afghanistan in 2003. She saw women literally living in rubble and later founder Azru Studio Hope to help make them into entrepreneurs. It was funded with a grant from the US Agency for International Development along with private donations. The studio originally started with 30 weavers and has grown to employ nearly 500 weavers plus 55 other staff members throughout Afghanistan.
The gallery opened Saturday at the Urban Edge Gallery and will be displayed throughout September. Each of the nine rugs on display were weaved by different women and are available for purchase at $5000. The proceeds go directly to weaver and also to help improve literacy and health care in their villages.
Although modern technology has made it easier for machines to make quality rugs, there is still a large market that appreciates the nuance and detail that goes into producing authentic handcrafted rugs. Hand-weaved area rugs are known to be stylish and ornate. They are also very delicate and difficult to keep in pristine condition.
H&S Rug Cleaning and Restoration is a professional rug cleaning company in New York City that works to preserve and restore Oriental rugs, carpets and upholstery. Oriental rugs have a strong tradition of telling the story of the people who make them and the culture they are made in, something that is only increased by the circumstances of the rugs featured in the Waukegan Art Gallery. Such rugs are pieces of history and cherished by owners and historians. Given the importance of these rugs, H&S Rug Cleaning and Restoration has experience with many different handmade rugs and materials to know the best method to restore or clean each specific rug.
Rug restoration can include a wide variety of services, such as pet stain removal, color restoration, reweaving, patching, binding, water damage repair, moth damage repair as well as mold and mildew damage. H&S Rug Cleaning and Restoration does everything to guarantee that your area rug looks brand new again.
Haim Shemesh, H&S Rug Cleaning and Restoration, http://orientalrugcleaningny.com/, +1 (201) 703-0091, [email protected]
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