Article | New Global Studies Course Connects RISD Students with Traditional Artisans in India

Students who recently returned from a Wintersession global studies course in India collaborated with artisans in Jaipur using handcrafting techniques that have been perfected over hundreds of years.

“Handcraft and gracious hospitality are both embedded in the ethos of the Indian way of life,” says Textiles faculty member Joy Ko. “Students at RISD are trained to be designer, artist and maker but had to first learn how to communicate with their hosts and be good guests before collaborating with the highly skilled, multigenerational artisans they met.”