Last month, I wrote a blog post about a project the DMA co-led with MAP – Make Art With Purpose, an organization that seeks to transform the world in positive ways. I can personally attest that my world was positively impacted by our community partnership program with AVANCE – Dallas, and through collaborating with MAP’s founder Janeil Engelstad and speaking with her about the impressive and inspiring work that MAP is supporting throughout DFW and around the world.
MAP 2013 – a festival and exhibition of social practice projects – launched October 1 and extends through November 24, 2013. Some of the C3 staff took a walk through downtown to visit one of the MAP projects called The Art of Sahrawi Hospitality. This project was inspired by artist Robin Kahn’s month-long visit with Sahrawi families living in the Tindouf Refugee Camps and within the “Liberated Territory” of Western Sahara.
From October 16-20, any and all passersby could enter a large traditional Sahrawi tent and experience Sahrawi hospitality firsthand with Kahn and six Sahrawi women. Inside the tent, the women women were talking, dancing to traditional music, serving tea, and applying henna tattoos. Susan, Amanda, and I each got tattoos on our hands.
entrance to tent
entrance to tent
Najat prepares the stencil and henna ink for tattoos.
Susan and Najat chat as Susan gets her henna tattoo.
The tent was constructed with beautiful traditional fabric.
Najat prepares the tea.
A friendly camel greets you inside the tent.
This wonderful project has already ended, but please check out the other MAP events and programs scheduled through November 24 on MAP’s online calendar.
Melissa Gonzales
C3 Gallery Manager
