Rickshaw Folk Art - International Women's Day Workshops

Workshop Description:
A rickshaw is a three-wheeled, human-powered vehicle widely used in Bangladesh, decorated with bold, hand-painted imagery that turns everyday transport into moving folk art which is known as Rickshaw painting. It is now recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, celebrating the creativity of local artists and the identity of the community. In this workshop, we will dive into the fun side of rickshaw painting, its playful motifs, fearless colors, and rule-free creativity. You will learn about traditional motifs, and you will also be encouraged to mix them with your own imagination. There are no boundaries here. Bright colors, exaggerated shapes, and personal stories are all welcome. Come splash some color, tell your story, and experience how folk art turns joy into movement. No experience is needed, just bring your curiosity, courage, and love for color. Let’s paint loud and have fun.

A Note on Cost:
We charge a small fee of $10, which supports instructor fees, art supplies, and ongoing support for the International Women's Day Art Show into the future. We do not want cost to be a barrier to access, so if you're unable to pay please use the dicount code FREETHEART for a no-fee class.

Age Ranges: 12+

Max Number of Students: 20

About Grand Forks International Women's Day Art Show
Inspired by celebrations around the world, Arts for Vets, ERA Now, and the Women's Fund host an annual art show, to be held on March 7 in 2026 at the Arts for Vets Gallery (215 N 3rd St.) To learn more about how International Women's Day started, you can find a timeline here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Timeline

This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.This project is supported in part by a grant from the Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region.

About the Instructor:
Rifa Nanziba is a Bangladeshi artist whose creative practice is rooted in folk traditions. As a child, she was mesmerized by the vibrant scenes and fantastical stories painted on the backs of rickshaws moving through the streets of Bangladesh. That early fascination grew into a lifelong commitment to learning, preserving, and reimagining this living art form. She immersed myself in studying its motifs and techniques and apprenticed under a senior rickshaw painter, gaining firsthand experience of its craft and cultural significance. Over the years, Nanziba has reinterpreted rickshaw painting within contemporary contexts, translating its visual language into fashion, wearable art, and interior design. Today, she applies this art form to decorative projects for homes, cafés, offices, and public spaces, bringing folk aesthetics into modern environments. Alongside her studio practice, she leads rickshaw painting workshops in Bangladesh, where participants learn traditional techniques while exploring ways to transform folk art into a sustainable creative profession. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to honoring cultural heritage while thoughtfully reimagining folk art for contemporary art and design.

Other Events in the IWD Series:
March 7 - International Women's Day Art Show Opening Reception
March 8 - Becca Cruger - Self Portrait Workshop
Mar 14 - Rifa Nanziba - Rickshaw Art WorkshopMar 15 - Serena Barnett - Wire Wrapped Jewelry
March 21 - Gina Uhlir - Improv Comedy Class for Girls
Mar 22 -Tammie Nadeau - Beading Class
Mar 28 - Mandy Smestad - SHEro silhouette painting
Mar 29 - Roxanne Ladoucer - Dream Catchers

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