Continuing Textile Traditions: Eyes on Ghana

May 15, 2025

Part of a long Ghanian tradition, textiles remain important as they represent identity, legacy, and a rich, multigenerational national history. Join us as Ellie Schimelman, President of Cross Cultural Collaborative introduces us to CCC’s history and mission, followed by a tour of CCC’s work in Ghana with Director Michael Bortequaye Bortei. This tour will be pre-recorded due to Internet connectivity issues in Ghana, but will feature an interview with a market seller at the Makola market, an adinkra explanation and demonstration, and an interview with Bobo-Dennis, a master weaver, who will talk about his famous family history and his craft. A live Q & A session with Ellie will follow.

Cross Cultural Collaborative, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization that promotes cultural exchange and understanding. Programs emphasize multigenerational and multicultural collaborations encouraging participants to find rewards in different forms of creativity. They invite artists and scholars from all over the world to work with Ghanaians on collaborative projects that range from mosaic walls to documentary films. Bringing artists from different cultures together in a supportive environment where they can get to know each other through the language of art supports the belief that interaction between African and non-African artists enriches the creativity of both groups.

Please note that if you would like to attend but are unavailable at the time listed, register anyway and you will receive a link to the recording as soon as it is available.

Panelists:

Ellie Schimelman– Cross Cultural Collaborative, Inc President and Clerk
Ellie graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1960 with a degree in Art Education. She was an art teacher and supervisor in public schools for over 20 years and taught adult education classes in the Boston area. She was also a professional potter and part owner of the Cambridge Artists Cooperative crafts gallery in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Always attracted to African art, Ellie took her first trip to Ghana in 1978. Since then she has returned many times to research and study traditional crafts, do volunteer teaching and take people on crafts and culturally centered tours of Ghana. She now devotes herself fulltime to directing Cross Cultural Collaborative, Inc. and facilitating workshops held at its cultural center in Ghana.

Michael Bortequaye Bortei– Cross Cultural Collaborative Board Member and Managing Director
Michael was one of the first Aba House children, 7 years old and eager to try whatever we offered. Now many years later he is truly a renaissance man. Michael handles logistics for our tours, is our main tour guide and partners with Aba to manage Cross Cultural Collaborative.