Embracing a new era: The story of community mothers and rushes

Big eyes and brown-green bodies are just some of the themes you’ll see on craftwork at the Rush Workshop in Sigang, Shian-Lin Community, Tainan. The Rush Workshop is mainly composed of community mothers responsible for all products, including everything from the design and pattern making to the sewing.  

After the establishment of the workshop, the community applied to the Civil Affairs Bureau for funds to refurbish a traditional Taiwanese house, which the Rush Workshop now uses as a studio. Everything in the old house, including the old kitchen, tiles, photos, etc. have been preserved to keep the memories of yesteryear alive. Rush is characteristically light and durable with a unique fragrance after drying. The community has combined local industries and created a new force to successfully transform the traditional industries and reinject fresh life into an old rural community.  

以下為中文對照

翻轉舊時代文化 社區媽媽與藺草的故事

大大的眼睛，棕綠色的身體，這是出自於藺草工坊的藝術品。位於台南西港檨林社區，藺草工坊主要是由一群社區媽媽所組成，所有的產品都是由他們一手包辦，從設計、打版、車縫，皆由他們負責。

成立工坊後，社區向民政局申請老屋再造的案子，將一間老舊的三合院翻新，作為藺草工坊主要的工作室。這裡也保留了以前的廚房、磚瓦、照片等，讓前人的記憶能夠延續下去。藺草擁有質地輕巧、不易斷裂等特色，曬乾後還有股特有的清香風味。社區結合在地產業，創造出新的力量讓傳統產業轉型成功，也讓社區更加地活絡。