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We chose the name ERGANI for the workshop because it was the goddess Athena’s nickname. She is known in Greece not only as the mother of the city of Athens, but also a goddess of craftsmanship. She taught weaving.
I have always been amazed at the idea that weaving was the first thing that humans discovered to satisfy what must have been one of their greatest needs: to introduce into the basic landscape of their lives what must have seemed miraculous – comfort, practicality, and beauty. Equally amazing is the fact that the way we weave today is more or less the same as it has been throughout the ages, despite the technological advances. It is an art that connects us directly with the past.
Since I was very young, I’ve always occupied myself with crafts – knitting, stitching, sewing. My hands were always busy and I seemed to be always surrounded by buttons, yarns, fabrics and threads.
Later, when I attended The School Of Philosophy in Athens, I discovered weaving. I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; my own journey began then.
I was lucky to have found my calling so young, but luckier still to meet two wonderful teachers, Eri Avgoustidou and Sofia Tsourinaki, who nurtured my interest and talent, encouraged me, and gave me the confidence to take the next step, i.e. to open my own workshop.
My husband Vangelis and I are both natives of the island of Poros and when we returned to Poros to live there, with the support of our families, we bought our first loom and opened the doors to ERGANI workshop.
In the 22 years since then, our five children were born and grew up, the first small loom became 2 big ones, and a lot of small ones, and we moved to a bigger space. We also added felting and knitting and many other fascinating art works over the years. This is what we imagined in the first place – a collaborative productive space where we share our skills and inspiration. Our journey continues.
OUR TEAM:
VANGELIS AND ELENI
ERGANI weaving workshop was our first common creation.
MARIA KOULARMANI
ARTIST
We have been dreaming, designing and creating together for almost ten years now.
ANOUCK BRINKERINK
INTERIOR DESIGNER
The person behind the workshop windows, the presentation of our products and the photos of our website.
FAMILY
Our inspiration. All our children were born and raised between warps and wefts.
Creative workshops - educational programs
We have designed a series of creative workshops that take place in the ERGANI weaving workshop upon request.
