{"id":7671,"date":"2020-06-02T17:46:21","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T00:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.road2ca.com\/blog\/?p=7671"},"modified":"2020-06-02T17:46:23","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T00:46:23","slug":"tentmakers-of-cairo-teaching-an-ancient-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/02\/tentmakers-of-cairo-teaching-an-ancient-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Tentmakers of Cairo: Teaching an Ancient Art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ever since 2015 when the Tentmakers of Cairo made their first appearance at Road to California, their classes on the ancient art of applique have always sold out. Road 2020 was no different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts-1018x1024.jpg\" alt=\"ancient art\" class=\"wp-image-7675\" width=\"475\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts-1018x1024.jpg 1018w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts-768x773.jpg 768w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-quilts.jpg 1272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who are the Tentmakers of Cairo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tentmakers of Cairo are from Khan Khayamiya\u2014the Market of the Tentmakers &#8212; located in the heart of Old Islamic Cairo. It is here that this particular form of applique is taught and preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Quilters2.jpg\" alt=\"ancient art\" class=\"wp-image-7676\" width=\"326\" height=\"435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Quilters2.jpg 375w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Quilters2-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anciently, this type of artwork was used to line tents or screens covered in appliqu\u00e9 that would decorate a whole street. Amazing pattern pieces were created and stitched based on geometry, sacred texts, and ancient artwork. The Tentmakers\u2019 brilliantly colored appliqu\u00e9 is still used today for ceremonial purposes at weddings, funerals, henna parties, or Ramadan celebrations. Unfortunately, it is quickly becoming a lost art form due to machines being used to replace the hand-made items. Another problem is unscrupulous businesses are copying and selling off the Tentmakers\u2019 unique designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coming to Road to California<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International textile artist and Road to California teacher, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/19\/road-2015-faculty-meet-jenny-bowker-international-quilter\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jenny Bowker<\/a>, learned of the modern-day Tentmaker\u2019s plight with the possibility of losing their ancient art. She helped shed light on the critical situation by curating a Special Exhibit, <em>Stitch Like An Egyptian, <\/em>which first came to Road in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Egyptian-Exhibit.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7213\" width=\"377\" height=\"522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Egyptian-Exhibit.png 518w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Egyptian-Exhibit-217x300.png 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that exhibit, two Egyptian Tentmakers, Hosam Hanafy Ahmed Mahmoud and Tarek Abdelhay Hafez Abouelenin were on hand to demonstrate their method of appliqu\u00e9. They also assisted Jenny in teaching her classes that year on their methods. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of the popularity of this exhibit, Road invited Hosam and Tarek to return in 2017. That year, they still demonstrated in the special exhibit but they also took a more active role in teaching their ancient art. In addition, they brought many completed quilts to sell with the proceeds being used back in Cairo to promote new artists learning the tentmaker\u2019s skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Tentmakers at Road 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Road 2020, two new tentmakers came to teach the ancient art of tentmaking in Road classes. Ahmad Kamal and Ekramy Hanafy were thrilled to be sharing their ancient art and meeting their fans. Ahmad said of his Road to California experience, \u201cWow!! {This has been a} pleasant experience for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers3.jpg\" alt=\"ancient art\" class=\"wp-image-7677\" width=\"508\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers3.jpg 640w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diane and Sally are friends from Irvine, California who took the tentmaker\u2019s class. Diane signed up for the class because Sally wanted to learn needle-turn applique. Diane said, \u201cI was so glad I came. I learned a lot.\u201d Sally added, \u201cThis was the absolute best instruction. Their technique is very unique. There was no language barrier during the class as we watched everything they did with their hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7678\" width=\"502\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers2.jpg 640w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pam has been quilting for 18 years and came to Road from Indiana. She had met Ahmad at a previous quilting event the year before. She bought a quilt from him there and decided she wanted to take a class when the opportunity came up. \u201cI loved the class. What an incredible technique!!\u201d And an extra bonus for Pam was learning all the wonderful Egyptian history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"439\" height=\"387\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers4-e1591144667887.jpg\" alt=\"ancient art\" class=\"wp-image-7680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers4-e1591144667887.jpg 439w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers4-e1591144667887-300x264.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 439px) 100vw, 439px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Joe is from San Jose, California. He took the Egyptian Tentmakers\u2019 class because he does a lot of hand applique and wanted to learn this ancient art method. \u201cThis was new, different and slow,\u201d said Joe, comparing it the other applique he does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7679\" width=\"355\" height=\"473\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cindi has been quilting and coming to Road to California for the past 5 years. She wanted to learn the technique and buy a quilt from the tentmakers. \u201cI\u2019m hooked and my husband is hooked too ever since he read their book, \u201cTentmakers of Cairo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers5.jpg 326w, https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Egyptian-Tentmakers5-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Road to California was pleased to offer this international class focusing on this ancient art. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever since 2015 when the Tentmakers of Cairo made their first appearance at Road to California, their classes on the ancient art of applique have always sold out. Road 2020 was no different. Who are the Tentmakers of Cairo The Tentmakers of Cairo are from Khan Khayamiya\u2014the Market of the Tentmakers &#8212; located in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7671"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7683,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7671\/revisions\/7683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}