Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene”
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Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene”
The weaving group launched its activities in 1978, and in 1986, the collective was awarded the title of Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene”. Since 1997, its home has been the Riga Culture and Folk Art Center “Mazā Ģilde”. Since 1983, the studio has been led by Marina Sproģe, a graduate of the Applied Arts Secondary School and the Textile Art Department at the Art Academy of Latvia.
Alongside practical sessions, studio members learn weaving theory, color theory, and the fundamentals of composition, with the studio leader working individually with each participant. The weavers study museum archives and collections, learning to appreciate the simplicity, practicality, and richness of colors preserved through the centuries to incorporate the diversity and splendor of Latvian folk patterns into their own work.
Over the years, the range of fabrics woven by the studio members has been extensive: blankets, tablecloths, wall hangings, towels, floor runners, and decorative fabrics—everything that can make an interior warm and cozy. Members also weave modern fabrics, including cloaks, linen scarves, and wearable textiles.
As the Song and Dance Festival approaches, the studio members pay increased attention to crafting details for folk costumes, already weaving skirt fabrics and sashes for the upcoming festival.
To create their works, the studio weavers use natural materials, with flax/linen, wool, and cotton being the most preferred. Both chemical and plant dyes are used to dye the yarn.
Over time, the composition of Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene” has evolved, with 35 members currently actively participating. The weavers are united by a love of their craft and eagerly share their experience with newcomers.
The priority of Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene” is to cultivate, preserve, and pass on to future generations the traditional craft of folk weaving, developed and nurtured over centuries. Over time, a distinct character has developed in the studio’s works, characterized by high quality, vibrant colors, and nuanced detail.
Studio members participate in collective as well as thematic national folk art exhibitions. Works by Applied Folk Art Studio “Kamene” have also represented Latvia abroad: in Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Australia. Several works are included in the collection of the National History Museum of Latvia.
Every opportunity to display their creations in Latvia and abroad is a celebration that brings satisfaction and confidence that these ancient skills are still essential today. The studio regularly holds retrospective exhibitions, as well as traveling exhibitions across Latvia’s regions and beyond its borders.