Wandering through the Highland Art District I came across a gallery on the side street that looked interesting.  It had art with an Asian flair and everyone knows how much I love the Asian aesthetic.  I walked in and saw this what I thought was a photograph on the wall.  I was drawn to the image and as I approached the image I realized it was embroidered.  I must have made my discovery out loud because the woman next to me said, "boy you're good, I couldn't figure out how it was done". 

As I proceeded through the gallery my jaw dropped as I saw piece after piece of embroidered work.  The artists are from Vietnam.  I knew these were hand embroidered although you would swear they were machine made looking at the outstanding artistry.  I was assured the work was hand done when the owner showed me a piece hanging in the middle of the room, not framed, no backing, just hanging so I could see the back.  The back shows you that the work was hand embroidered. 

The gallery that holds these magical pieces is PROVIDE-N-CE, an international market and gallery.  The mission statement of the gallery is:

            Deeply rooted in our conviction that all 
            human beings are inter-connected,
            the mission of PROVIDE-N-CE works 
            with Vietnamese orphans, underprivi-
            ledged children and people who are 
            physically challenged to assist them
            in becoming fully integrated members 
            in their community.

I want to thank this gallery for their commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods for the Vietnamese people.  It really shows what can happen with collaboration.  The market sells the work created by their projects in Vietnam so it is truly an international venture.  Please do see the work, you'll be amazed and maybe even be enticed to begin learning the art of embroidery.

Elated...
Greg