Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, 10 am to Noon at EWI – Come celebrate some old-fashioned ideas very relevant in today’s world, like listening to other people’s stories and learning from their experiences. Enjoy making a one-of-a-kind storybook with your own hands as a special gift for someone; and sitting down with a hot cup of Chai and sharing stories and laughter.
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Chai with Sushmita:Celebrating Stories, Bookmaking, 
and Multi-cultural and Multi-generational Dialog
- Participant Fee: $25 (includes workshop materials, a FREE book, chai and vegetarian snack)
- Register Now through our secure online site Network for Good. Designate the fee to workshop
Come celebrate some old-fashioned ideas very relevant in today’s world, like listening to other people’s stories and learning from their experiences; enjoying making a one-of-a-kind storybook with your own hands as a special gift for someone; and sitting down with a hot cup of Chai and sharing stories and laughter.
Sushmita will read excerpts from her books, which are based on stories she has heard from other people, like her father who grew up in British India, a friend who grew up on a farm in Germany, and a friend’s grandmother who was a new bride during the India-Pakistan partition. These simple and real stories taught her a lot and even today she loves to listen to people’s stories—about places, people, their fears, and strengths.
Participants learn to make their own cover for the book (materials provided), and sew it all together with instruction. Once they complete the book, they’ll also know and understand how everyday objects connect to our lives so easily and can make art.
After you register email Sushmita and let her know which book you would like to make and take home with you. Here is a short description:
Breakdown: Story of a Boy’s Fear A vacation gets delayed because the bus breaks down. As 11 year-old Maya and her dad wait in the early morning darkness of the mountains, her dad tells her the story of another breakdown from a dark and rainy night when he was fourteen. Had he really seen a ghost? Will Maya ever find out?
The Tail: Story of a Boy’s Courage There are many traditions started by his grandfather in the little German village, but does 7 year-old Jorg have the courage to try the one that involves a pig’s tail? He doesn’t think so and his brother hopes he doesn’t.
Teatime: Story of a Girl’s Courage Fourteen year-old Annie is stuck listening to the old lady’s story on new year’s eve when she’d much rather be watching the special on TV. But the story is from when the old lady was fifteen, a new bride, and had a very scary person over at teatime. How does she escape to live this long? Annie finally leaves having learnt what remarkable things teenagers are capable of!
Ages: adults and children 9 and up. Children may participate with an adult and should not be afraid of needles used for sewing the books.
Fee: $25.00. Includes one of Sushmita’s books, bookmaking workshop and materials and chai and vegetarian snack. The artist donates $5.00 from each participant’s fee in support of EWI’s entrepreneurial programs for women artists.
Other Handmade Storybooks products will be on display and available for sale at the event.
About the Artist
Sushmita Mazumdar is an Arlington-based writer, designer, and book artist. She teaches art education programs for children and adults encouraging storytelling and the sharing of cultural heritage. She has conducted workshops at museums, schools, and arts institutions, and sells her books at book fairs, art stores, shows and online from her website www.HandmadeStorybooks.com
This program is made possible in part with support from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.