Ethnic Bags Exhibit - An Integration of Travel and Culture

Barbara Parisi’s ethnic handmade bags from fabric she and her husband, Joe, collected during their international travel and dive trips are currently on display at the La Petite Galerie at the Marco Center for the \rts. Some fabrics were also generously donated by friends from their own travels to underwrite this project.

Shopping is a big part of our travel experiences, especially when we are visiting a new country. In addition to food, music, art and culture we want to bring back a piece of the local culture as a souvenir. And when we get home, we display our souvenir collection and show them off to family and friends. 

Why handbags you might ask? We ladies know that the BAG makes the outfit and all of Barbara’s handbags are handmade and one of a kind. And though it might not compete in status with high end luxury designers like Louis Vuitton, Hermes or Dior, Barbara’s collection is both a fashion and cultural statement.

For Barbara, collecting locally woven fabrics from each country she visited is a reminder of that country’s unique custom and culture. Once visiting Bali, Indonesia, she brought back a wall hanging that was silk screened with a peacock/wood motif. She handmade a shoulder bag and hand embellished the feathers with seed beads.

Everyone knows that Scotland is mad about plaid and Barbara can’t pass up the chance to transform a Scottish tartan plaid fabric into a bag constructed to resemble a Tartan kilt complete pleats, side buckles and a fur quilted leather sporran (small pouch) with handmade leather tassels.

Barbara has an entire section at the La Petite Galerie showcasing the traditional cultural weaves and embroideries from Latin American countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica.  

Representing Mexico, renowned artist Frida Kahlo’s eyes, lips and faces came from linen printed pillow covers. Barbara reconstructed them into handbags adding jewelry and seed beads to the birds and flowers.

From Costa Rica, Barbara reconstructed the image ofHand and Eye of God motif with multi-colored silkscreen on cotton adding Tagua nuts and wooden charm.

Other countries represented with local weaves and colors are Japan, Italy, Tanzania, Scotland, India, South Africa, Southwest United States, Indonesia, France, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Canada, Kenya, China, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Turkey.

For Japan, Barbara made a shoulder bag from a “Year of the Rabbit” banner from the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts – it is red, gray and white cotton. If you were born in the Year of the Rabbit, you are a smooth talker, talented, ambitious, virtuous and reserved. You have exceedingly fine taste and are regarded with admiration and trust. 

In 1986 Joe and Barbara hand screened a 15th century image of the gate surrounding the City of Florence and the lining is a sample of men’s tie fabric.

From Southwest Florida, Barbara hand constructed a multi-colored classic Seminole Indian patchwork tote, crossbody and shoulder bag.

The handbag styles range from clutches, totes, shoulder, and cross body to beach/boat bags. If enough fabric was available, a coordinating six-inch wrapped pouch was sewn. These wrapped pouches are typically utilized in India when purchasing high end jewelry. They are usually made of padded silk or satin with long cording, ending with a scalene triangle. Barbara’s pouches can be used for jewelry storage, makeup or gift bags.

According to Barbara, creating bags from these fabrics was like taking a journey to these wonderful places. It was a labor of love and great for the soul.  

The Ethnic Bags are on display at the La Petite Galerie till January 3, 2023. All bags are for sale and make a perfect one-of-a-kind fashion statement and practical gift. The exhibit is also in conjunction with the Annual Christmas Clay Shopping Event.

Call to Artists! The Annual Festival of Trees Intakeis November 28th. There is no registration fee! Registration forms can be downloaded at www.marcoislandart.org.

Marco Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, visit www.marcoislandart.org.