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For the first time, Aid to Artisans displayed crafts from its current projects in West Africa at the SIAO Trade Show October 31 – November 9, 2008 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. SIAO is Africa’s largest handcraft show and is a traditional cash-and-carry craft market that is open to the public and to trade buyers. It typically attracts over 2,000 artisans and thousands of shoppers. The show aims to increase purchasing power in the craft sector through regional and export sales, which contribute to the countries economic, social and cultural balance through promotion of handcraft. This year, the show also featured an internationally juried craft competition.

In conjunction with WACIP (ATA’s West African Cotton Improvement Program), Aid to Artisans set up a booth at SIAO to feature the artisans in the program to introduce them to the market with new production collections and make key buyer contacts. In addition to selling at the trade show, it’s important for artisans to make contacts with wholesale and retail buyers that will continue to order from them on an ongoing basis.

Since working with ATA for the past year, nearly 50% of these local cotton producing artisan groups have had their first export experience in the U.S. At the SIAO trade show alone, these artisans sold out their entire 60 square meter booth, earning profits of nearly $25,000. The director of SIAO was so pleased with ATA adn the artisans that he taped a media interview in ATA’s booth so show the spirit and potential of the trade show.

The artisans showcased a varied selection of product including home accessories, textiles and jewelry. Eighteen craftspeople who work with Aid to Artisans were at the booth to talk about their products, their lives and their creative inspiration, in addition to taking orders. Their innovative designs included bags with chicken appliqued designs from Benin, tie-dye curtains and crocheted necklaces from Mali, and ottomans from Burkina Faso. Aid to Artisans sponsored two buyers from South Africa to attend to help create market links for the participants.

"Participating at SIAO with ATA and WACIP was a life changing experience because I met other artisans from Mali, Chad, and Benin who worked with ATA as well. I’ve developed good relationships with them. We’ve become a family," Gisele Ouedraogo said.