At the Wood Painting, Upcycling and Design Workshop organised by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality at Koşuyolu Women’s Life Centre, women are learning a range of techniques to transform unused items into artistic products. Through the process of creating, they are not only developing their creativity but also strengthening women’s solidarity.
Organised by the Department of Women’s Policies at Koşuyolu Women’s Life Centre, the Wood Painting, Upcycling and Design Workshop provides women with an opportunity to engage in both production and art. The three-month workshop programme, attended by 15 women, is held three days a week. As part of the workshop, participants are taught basic and advanced wood painting techniques, ways of repurposing unused items, surface preparation, decoupage, distressing and practical application methods. At the end of the training process, various works are produced using recycled materials.
At the workshop, women are not only learning technical skills, but also discovering their creativity. A simple piece of wood, a canvas or an unused household item is given new life through the women’s effort and imagination. Recycling activities in particular make it possible to reuse old items, contributing to environmental sustainability while also demonstrating the transformative power of production.
It is planned that the works produced in the workshop will be exhibited at future events, allowing them to generate income for the women involved.
There are also plans to launch the workshop at other women’s life centres in the coming period. Women taking part in the workshop said they were pleased with the opportunity to learn and create through the programme.
“We have done some really wonderful work”
Ceren Nur Yüce, one of the women taking part in the workshop, said that her aim in joining the course was not simply to receive training, but to learn and discover her own talent. “We have done some really wonderful work here. Our instructor taught us as much as she could. We turned craft into art. In time, I became aware of my own talent. In wood painting, we are learning about colour shading and how colours work in harmony with one another. All of us put a great deal of effort into this together,” she said.
“The work we have produced will be exhibited at the labour gathering”
Nevroz Dala underlined that all of the works produced in the workshop were the result of collective effort, adding that they would be displayed at labour-themed gatherings. “All the products you see here are the shared work of all of us. They do not belong to one person; they are the product of all of us together. The items that are sold will also be shared equally. This space is very important for women. Producing collectively in a social environment gives people self-confidence. Here, we have both created and strengthened women’s solidarity,” she said.
“Being able to produce is very valuable for us”
Narince Ermiş also said that the workshop had helped them gain new skills. “Before coming here, we did not even know how to hold a paintbrush. Thanks to our instructor, we learned how to paint, how to do wood painting, and how to create different kinds of work. We thank the Metropolitan Municipality for opening such a course for women. We would also like to see different courses introduced. Rather than remaining confined within four walls at home, being able to produce in social settings is very valuable for us,” she said.
