VirtuArte.com

On Sunday, the 8th of February, a day that felt like Spring was here, VirtuArte hosted its first "Meet the Artist" event featuring Elhadji Koumama. Elhadji is the patriarch of the Koumama Family and the ninth child of Mohamed Koumama, one of the most famous Tuareg silversmiths. The Koumama Family is known worldwide for creating unique, high quality sterling silver jewelry using the traditional hand tools and methods that have been used by Tuareg craftsmen for centuries.

Elhadji and Ann Elston, the person who manages the US business for the Koumama family, brought a large sample of the family's work including necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants and crosses. The family has just started making flatware and other serving pieces that were also on display.

To give people the opporutnity to see how a piece of jewelry is made, a slide show of photographs of Elhadji making a Cross of Agadez was continuously shown on a computer to one side of the jewelry display.

A steady stream of people came to look at the Tuareg silver products throughout the afternoon. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk to Elhadji while looking at his and his family's work. For those who purchased a piece of jewelry or other item, a memory of Elhadji in his traditional clothing will occur when they use their purchase.

We all love beautiful things and the Koumama family silver jewelry certainly is. What I am most pleased about is this event helped to make a connection between the beautiful products and the people who make them. I do look forward to having the opportuity in the future to introduce you to other artists and for you to get to know them and their work.