Tramando is a community-based textile arts initiative that celebrates the power of making as a means of cultural preservation, creative expression, and collective growth. Rooted in Kensington’s rich textile history, the program brings together artists, culture bearers, and community members to learn, share, and sustain traditional textile practices across generations.

Over the course of three modules, nearly sixty participants from across Philadelphia gathered to study natural dyeing and fiber spinning, Maya backstrap weaving, and embroidery practices spanning traditional and contemporary approaches, under the guidance of master artists and educators. Through these shared learning experiences, participants developed technical skills while forging new relationships rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and cultural exchange.

The works presented in this exhibition are the result of that collective journey. Each object reflects the hands that made it, the stories shared, and the knowledge and connections woven throughout the program.

Together, these works celebrate the enduring connections between craft, culture, and the communities that keep them alive. Learn more about the Tramando project here.