Dhaka Makers on Saturday started its inaugural event "HSBC presents Dhaka Makers" Week at Aloki in the capital's Tejgaon area, slated to run from June 24-27.
Dhaka Makers is a creative haven where independent artisans can establish their brands, collaborate with fellow artists, and share their expertise with a wide array of audiences.
The inauguration ceremony was initiated by the Dhaka Makers team, comprised of creative inspired artists and doers -- Fahd Sattar, Istela Imam, Maruful Hoque, Fairose Yasmin, Maleena Gomez, Tahsin N. Choudhury, Mahenaz Chowdhury, Umaila Akhter, Zafir Huq, Taiara Farhana Tareque, and Mariha Q. Chowdhury, they said in a press release.
The “Makers'' signed a canvas commemorating the first edition of Dhaka Makers' Week, along with other guests.
The ceremony was followed by a live performance by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay.
Through the first-ever Dhaka Makers' Week, the team hopes to foster the local arts and culture scene through an offline platform that engages artists from all creative spheres.
The event will provide a medium that celebrates the city's innovative talent through thoughtfully curated spaces -- where the “Makers” or collective artisans will be able to exhibit their work, sell their products, and conduct interactive workshops.
The creative arena of Dhaka includes talented individuals, many of whom have taken on entrepreneurial roles and are actively working towards growing their businesses.
Dhaka Makers hopes to establish an avenue for them to get the exposure and make their businesses sustainable.
The lineup consisted of independent creators showcasing works of art, illustrations, photography, sculpture, animation, pottery, metal craft, ceramics, fashion apparel, jewelry, embroidery, homeware and so on.
Visitors will have the chance to sign up for workshops hosted by professionals, and gain hands-on learning experience in various forms of Bangladeshi art.
They will be able to acquire artistic skills that range from Bangla typography, block-printing, graffiti, stop-motion animation, yoga, culinary arts, jewelry-making, terrarium building and much more.
Furthermore, the festivities will be accompanied by live music by renowned musicians in the evenings, a plethora of different food stalls, and homegrown organic produce at the farmer's market.
Therefore, visitors can expect to have a very interactive and wholesome experience throughout the four-day event.
The goal of Dhaka Makers' Week is to evoke a sense of belonging in people who already recognize the importance of preserving Bangladeshi art and heritage, and are environmentally conscious; and hopes to inspire festival-attendees to explore their artistic potential, all the while supporting local creators.
