Trunk Show & Sale of Southeast Asian Art

Confluence Gallery presents the eighth annual Trunk Show & Sale of Southeast Asian Art on Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31. Confluence is located at 104 Glover Street in Twisp and will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday for this popular event.

Methow Valley residents, Lee and Theresa Miller, leave home each year to spend several months in Southeast Asia where they work on humanitarian projects. The Millers bring back silk textiles and many other hand selected art and cultural objects from Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Indonesia, which will be on exhibit and available for purchase. The funds raised this weekend will support the Miller’s humanitarian efforts, talented artisans in the countries represented, and programs of Confluence Gallery.

Lee and Theresa helped to found a silk weaving community in Northern Cambodia. Now in its ninth year, the community boasts an elementary school, two buildings which house the silk looms and a color dying shed. In addition, a small gallery on-site allows visitors to view the beauty of the finished textiles produced by 100 weavers who work at the center.
Initially the project began as a hospice assisting terminally ill and homeless people. The historic art of silk weaving was reintroduced to break the cycle of poverty and improve living standards. In 2006 the project received the UNESCO award of excellence in silk weaving. When asked what motivates their continued involvement, the Millers speak of the women and children of Cambodia, who continue to benefit from projects that restore pride, income and self –sufficiency.