Virtual Hilltribe Museum

The Virtual Hilltribe Museum is a project of the Mirror Art Group of Chiang Rai, Thailand to document the rapidly changing cultures of hilltribe people in northern Thailand. While countless volumes have been compiled about the touristically popular hilltribe cultures, almost all of these works have been written by Thais or Westerners and, therefore, carry the bias and mistakes of an outsider. The Virtual Hilltribe Museum is the work of the tribal people themselves.

While conventional wisdom holds that technology destroys traditional culture, we believe that empowerment of minority cultures via media and technology is essential for their survival. The Virtual Hilltribe Museum is a forum to stimulate interest and educate all people interested in learning about hilltribe cultures - Thais, Asians, Westerners, and hilltribe alike. As designers of the website - from photographs to content to HTML layout - the members of the hilltribe.org team have accepted responsibility to represent truth and priority as seen from the point of view of a tribal person. While most of the English parts of the website have been translated, those who can read the Thai version of the website are reading the voice of the tribal people themselves.

The Virtual Hilltribe Museum is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Galleria Pangea, Chinese and Asian Crafts

About Us

Galleria Pangea is a collaborative partnership between Asian and Western friends interested in the relationship of culture and craft. Our staff has traveled extensively throughout China to discover the handmade treasures that often lie hidden in the infrequently-visited regions and modern artifice of our daily lives. Each of our products has a unique cultural significance and story that we are happy to share with you as you explore with us the rich legacy of artisan craftsmanship bestowed upon us by our collective heritage.

When you visit Galleria Pangea, we hope that you will find more than well-crafted, thoughtful merchandise. We hope that you will come to appreciate a shared history and culture that has evolved over millennia. We are continuously adding both new countries and new products to our catalogue so please check back with us frequently and let us know how we can serve you better.

Our Mission

Galleria Pangea's mission is to locate, procure, and provide you with pieces of the world's heritage at a fair price. In between the spaces of the familiar and the stereotypical, fine handicrafts and artwork abound in the hidden corners of the world. We are devoted to seeking them out for you - in a way that preserves the historical significance of the pieces in question.

We deal directly with the artists who make each piece. There is no middleman or distributor used, and we ensure that each artisan can trade his artwork at a reasonable price for both the buyer and the seller. You can buy from us in confidence.

Much like our namesake, the archetypical Pangaea continent preceding the separation of the world's continents, we ultimately hope to make the Earth a little more unified. Please join us in our mission!

Eastwind Art: Japanese Patterns and Fabric

Eastwind Art is the result of Joanne Newcomb and husband, Chuck Northup's fascination with Japan. Joanne taught US Army children in Japan in 1954 and later co-led tours to Japan. Chuck lived in Japan after the war as a part of the Army of Occupation.

When the two later met and exchanged travel notes they decided to return to Japan several times, extensively studying the mingei (folk arts and textiles).

Joanne already was doing business under the name Eastwind Art making and selling craft items and watercolor paintings. When Chuck closed his consultation business he joined with Joanne to grow a larger business derived from her interests. Beginning with a few patterns, their inventory now includes over forty Japanese clothing style garments, quilt, and handcraft patterns of their own design. Selected Japanese fabrics, stencils, books, and gifts are also sold.

MarketPlace: Handwork of India

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization increasing economic opportunities for low-income women in India and empowering them to bring about changes in their lives, their families and communities. MarketPlace works with 14 co-operatives consisting of 480 artisans in India who produce high-quality women’s apparel.

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is not a strategy, a program, or an academic exercise. Rather, it is a way of life that brings about change in the lives of the women artisans, in their families, and in their communities. Earning a living and supporting their families have given these women the independence and self-confidence to explore different aspects of their lives. They have found the courage to question age-old traditions and beliefs and to develop their own opinions, values and dreams. Combining the old and the new, they have fashioned new lives incorporating self-respect, ambitions, and strength. And at the center of each woman’s new life is family. Above all they will not compromise their absolute belief that they want a better life for their children and that they will do anything in their power to accomplish this.

Social change ripples into the community as leadership building initiatives give the artisans tools for action.