As part of the “Design, Craft, Brand” project, CLUSTER and Peacock for Art organized the “Design, Craft, Brand: Fayoum palm reed workshop” in collaboration with local partner FAODA. The project is supported by the Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies, DICE program. The workshop took place from the 24th to 26th of September, 2019 at Beyahmo village in Fayoum.

The purpose of this workshop was to develop a dialogue between local craftsmen and students from design and art departments. Through a one-to-one exchange of design ideas and manufacturing skills, the workshop aimed at generating fresh furniture design prototypes responding to contemporary needs and market demands, and grounded in the sophisticated craft of palm-reed structures.

The workshop took place over three days engaging 14 students from the School of Applied Arts and School of Architecture (German University in Cairo-GUC) School of Fine Arts (Helwan University), School of Applied Arts (6th of October University), and School of Art Education (Fayoum University). Additionally, four local master craftsmen joined the workshop from al-Ajamiyin village in Fayoum, one of the key hubs of palm-reed products. This workshop was led by five instructors: Silvia Burger, Mohamed Fikry, Maha Ibrahim, Rowais Rizk, and Omar Nagati.