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Announcing Our Last New Americans Workshop Series Instructor: Rosette Bahati!

Announcing Our Last New Americans Workshop Series Instructor: Rosette Bahati!

Craft Lake City is proud to announce that Rosette Bahati of African Roots Fashion will be instructing the final class for our New Americans Workshop Series in partnership with the International Rescue Committee! Rosette, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, started her business in Salt Lake City almost 20 years ago: “I came here in July 2006 and started my business. In my mind, when I came, I knew only African. I didn’t know if I could do something, or even how I could do something so everyone [could] like it. Even though I struggled for English, I thought ‘I will try and do my best’.” Today, African Roots sells a wide variety of unique baskets, jewelry and more, all inspired by Congo & African styles.

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Rosette will teach an African Roots Braceletsworkshop at the Craft Lake City HQ from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. In this beginner-friendly jewelry-making workshop, Rosette will instruct participants on using a variety of fun, colorful African fabrics to create eye-catching bangle bracelets. As part of our New Americans Workshop Series, participants will also learn about our instructor’s cultural background & her evolution as a maker through the lens of her experiences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Purchase Tickets to Rosette’s Workshop

When asked why she was excited about the opportunity to teach this workshop, Rosette said: “I’m so excited because, with the experience I have, I want other people to get that. I want to teach other people [to make these bracelets] because you cannot see 10 people, 3 people, 2 people that have this same Congo style. And especially because it’s made by hand. It’s not like a company made that.”

Each craft workshop in the New Americans Series is taught by makers from around the globe who’ve made Utah their home due to humanitarian crises in their countries of origin. This series of six workshops, running from November 2022 through April 2023, is made possible with the support of the International Rescue Committee and funding from the Salt Lake Arts Council.

As part of this six-part series, Craft Lake City is offering three full scholarships to each workshop based on financial need. To browse our upcoming workshops and purchase tickets, visit https://craftlakecity.com/craft-workshops/.