What happens when design education shifts its center of gravity?
Instead of looking toward familiar Western references, a group of students and faculty from Shenkar Textile Design Dept. המחלקה לעיצוב טקסטיל שנקר שנקר - הנדסה עיצוב אמנות traveled to Kampala, Uganda—engaging deeply with local knowledge, materials, and cultural context through a collaborative program with Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology Makerere University and CoCuDi Center.
At the heart of the course is bark cloth—an ancient, sustainable material made from the Mutuba tree. Working with it challenges fundamental assumptions about what textile is, and what it can become. It invites designers to move beyond industrial frameworks and engage with tradition, environment, and community as active partners in the creative process.
This initiative is not about transferring knowledge in one direction, but about building a shared space for learning—where material exploration, design thinking, and cross-cultural dialogue come together to shape new possibilities.
Proud to see this work featured in Portfolio Magazine, highlighting how design can expand when we are willing to shift perspective.
Read more:
Instead of looking toward familiar Western references, a group of students and faculty from Shenkar Textile Design Dept. המחלקה לעיצוב טקסטיל שנקר שנקר - הנדסה עיצוב אמנות traveled to Kampala, Uganda—engaging deeply with local knowledge, materials, and cultural context through a collaborative program with Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology Makerere University and CoCuDi Center.
At the heart of the course is bark cloth—an ancient, sustainable material made from the Mutuba tree. Working with it challenges fundamental assumptions about what textile is, and what it can become. It invites designers to move beyond industrial frameworks and engage with tradition, environment, and community as active partners in the creative process.
This initiative is not about transferring knowledge in one direction, but about building a shared space for learning—where material exploration, design thinking, and cross-cultural dialogue come together to shape new possibilities.
Proud to see this work featured in Portfolio Magazine, highlighting how design can expand when we are willing to shift perspective.
Read more:
לפגוש מציאות אחרת: טקסטיל בר־קיימא באוגנדה - מגזין פורטפוליו
בזמן שעולם העיצוב ממשיך להביט ברובו מערבה, לבתי הספר באירופה, אל התערוכות במילאנו ואל המסלולים בפריז – יש מי שבוחר להביט דווקא לכיוון אחר, לא כאלטרנטיבה אקזוטית, אלא...
Bark Cloth Uganda 2026 — now featured on Shenkar's שנקר - הנדסה עיצוב אמנות website 🌿
We’re happy to share this glimpse into the recent international course developed in collaboration with Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art and Makerere University, exploring the cultural and material potential of bark cloth.
The course brought together students and faculty for hands-on learning, collaboration with local artisans, and material experimentation — bridging traditional knowledge and contemporary design.
👉 Read more on Shenkar’s website:
https://www.shenkar.ac.il/en/news-events/students/bark-clothuganda-2026/
Grateful for this ongoing partnership and shared learning journey.
#BarkCloth #Shenkar #Makerere #CoCuDi #DesignExchange #SustainableMaterials #CrossCulturalDialogue
We’re happy to share this glimpse into the recent international course developed in collaboration with Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art and Makerere University, exploring the cultural and material potential of bark cloth.
The course brought together students and faculty for hands-on learning, collaboration with local artisans, and material experimentation — bridging traditional knowledge and contemporary design.
👉 Read more on Shenkar’s website:
https://www.shenkar.ac.il/en/news-events/students/bark-clothuganda-2026/
Grateful for this ongoing partnership and shared learning journey.
#BarkCloth #Shenkar #Makerere #CoCuDi #DesignExchange #SustainableMaterials #CrossCulturalDialogue
Planning the CRAFT training for 15 VSLA groups in Namutumba Innovation Agriculture
Today in Namutumba 🌱
We began the day meeting with the NIA NGO committee, discussing progress, challenges, and the next steps as the organization continues to grow into its new structure. The leadership and commitment of the local team remain the true engine of this work.
From there, we visited several farms and saw thriving pineapple and banana crops — tangible evidence of long-term investment in training, resilience, and community-driven agriculture. Seeing the fields flourish is always a powerful reminder of what steady partnership can achieve.
We also met with two VSLA groups. The discipline, solidarity, and confidence of the women continue to inspire us. These savings groups are not only financial mechanisms — they are spaces of belonging, leadership, and collective strength.
Finally, we arrived with our craft training team to begin researching local materials, existing skills, and possibilities for building a new training program. The goal is to create additional income streams while strengthening cultural knowledge and creativity within the community.
Resilience is built step by step — in fields, in meetings, in shared ideas, and in women sitting together planning their future.
More soon from Namutumba.
We began the day meeting with the NIA NGO committee, discussing progress, challenges, and the next steps as the organization continues to grow into its new structure. The leadership and commitment of the local team remain the true engine of this work.
From there, we visited several farms and saw thriving pineapple and banana crops — tangible evidence of long-term investment in training, resilience, and community-driven agriculture. Seeing the fields flourish is always a powerful reminder of what steady partnership can achieve.
We also met with two VSLA groups. The discipline, solidarity, and confidence of the women continue to inspire us. These savings groups are not only financial mechanisms — they are spaces of belonging, leadership, and collective strength.
Finally, we arrived with our craft training team to begin researching local materials, existing skills, and possibilities for building a new training program. The goal is to create additional income streams while strengthening cultural knowledge and creativity within the community.
Resilience is built step by step — in fields, in meetings, in shared ideas, and in women sitting together planning their future.
More soon from Namutumba.
As part of the Bark Cloth Visiting Course in Kampala, Shenkar students stepped out of the studio and into hands-on learning with local craft women from the Ugandan Artisans Associations.
During a palm leaf weaving workshop organized by Mr. Bruno Serunkuma, students learned traditional techniques directly from master artisans — experiencing material knowledge that lives in hands, rhythm, and community.
The session was more than a craft activity. It was an exchange of skills, stories, and perspectives. Working side by side, Israeli and Ugandan participants explored how traditional knowledge can inform contemporary design practice.
Moments like these remind us that meaningful innovation grows from listening, humility, and collaboration.
Thank you to the Ugandan Artisans Associations and Mr. Bruno Serunkuma for opening your space and sharing your expertise.
#BarkCloth #DesignExchange #CraftKnowledge #UgandanArtisans #CrossCulturalLearning #CoCuDi #Shenkar #MakerereUniversity
During a palm leaf weaving workshop organized by Mr. Bruno Serunkuma, students learned traditional techniques directly from master artisans — experiencing material knowledge that lives in hands, rhythm, and community.
The session was more than a craft activity. It was an exchange of skills, stories, and perspectives. Working side by side, Israeli and Ugandan participants explored how traditional knowledge can inform contemporary design practice.
Moments like these remind us that meaningful innovation grows from listening, humility, and collaboration.
Thank you to the Ugandan Artisans Associations and Mr. Bruno Serunkuma for opening your space and sharing your expertise.
#BarkCloth #DesignExchange #CraftKnowledge #UgandanArtisans #CrossCulturalLearning #CoCuDi #Shenkar #MakerereUniversity
The 2026 Bark Cloth Collaborative Workshop has successfully concluded in Kampala.
For eight immersive days, students from @textile_shenkar College and @makerere University worked together in a cross-cultural design studio exploring bark cloth as a contemporary material. Through field visits, artisan workshops, and intensive prototyping, six mixed teams developed innovative 3D bark cloth products inspired by botanical forms, folding systems, and structural experimentation.
The workshop strengthened academic partnership, deepened material research, and built meaningful human connections across cultures.
Thank you to all partners and supporters who made this exchange possible.
#BarkCloth #DesignExchange #MakerereUniversity #Shenkar #CrossCulturalDesign #CoCuDi
For eight immersive days, students from @textile_shenkar College and @makerere University worked together in a cross-cultural design studio exploring bark cloth as a contemporary material. Through field visits, artisan workshops, and intensive prototyping, six mixed teams developed innovative 3D bark cloth products inspired by botanical forms, folding systems, and structural experimentation.
The workshop strengthened academic partnership, deepened material research, and built meaningful human connections across cultures.
Thank you to all partners and supporters who made this exchange possible.
#BarkCloth #DesignExchange #MakerereUniversity #Shenkar #CrossCulturalDesign #CoCuDi
