Interview with Geetika Agrawal, VAWAA
ACC sits down with Vacation with an Artist founder, Geetika Agrawal, for a Q&A.
The American Craft Council is thrilled to announce a brand new partnership with Vacation with an Artist (VAWAA), an organization that connects established artists with people looking to learn in mini-apprenticeships, either in person, all over the world. With ACC’s position and reputation as a craft knowledge-barer and convener, we are working to connect VAWAA with amazing, talented artists in our field interested in the opportunity to act as mentors.
To kick off this relationship we’re “sitting down” with VAWAA founder, Geetika Agrawal, for a quick Q&A to explore their origin story, Geetika’s experience, and how our organizations connect around craft.
How did you start Vacation with an Artist? What was the inspiration behind the mission and organization?
Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA) was born from a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and the transformative power of hands-on learning. As an interior architecture student in India, I studied in a school rooted in Bauhaus principles—where art and design serve society, and learning happens through making. During my summers, I sought out master artisans across India—brass lamp makers, potters, weavers—to learn directly from them. These experiences revealed something profound: the depth of knowledge passed through generations, the cultural stories embedded in craft, and the sheer joy of creating with my hands.
Later, working as a designer in New York, I saw how disconnected many people felt from that kind of tactile, immersive experience. There’s a general sense of feeling lost and isolated. We live in a time where craft is often consumed as a product, rather than as a process to be experienced. But the true essence of craft lies in the act of making—the rhythm of a loom, the feel of clay taking shape, the slow mastery of a technique refined over decades.
That’s why I founded VAWAA—to create an international gallery without walls, where people can step into an artist’s world, not as observers, but as apprentices. Whether it’s handmade pottery in Japan, textile weaving in Mexico, or quilting in the American South, VAWAA offers an opportunity to preserve and celebrate traditional crafts by learning directly from the masters who keep them alive. More than just travel, it’s about ensuring these skills and stories continue to be shared, practiced, and valued for generations to come.
You’ve done a fair amount of traveling and meeting with artists in your life, both prior to starting VAWAA, and as part of your role there. What has been one of your best and most meaningful experiences?
One of my most meaningful experiences was my VAWAA with Manoocher, a renowned photojournalist in Puglia, Italy. I’ve always believed in the power of immersive learning, but spending time with someone who has spent decades documenting history firsthand—war zones, revolutions, cultural shifts—was profoundly eye-opening.
Manoocher didn’t just teach photography; he taught me how to see. Walking through the streets of Taranto, he challenged me to observe people, have conversations with strangers, and anticipate moments before they happened. He would say, “Don’t just take a photo—feel the story unfolding in front of you.” It completely changed my relationship with the camera.
Beyond the technical aspects, what stayed with me was his relentless dedication to truth and storytelling. He shared experiences from photographing conflict zones, moments when pressing the shutter wasn’t just about capturing an image but about bearing witness to history. It made me think about the responsibility artists and creators carry—to preserve, to share, and to make people feel something real.
This experience reinforced why VAWAA exists—to bridge the gap between artists and those eager to learn, to provide immersive experiences where creativity isn’t just taught, but lived.
How many artists are participating in the mentorship/apprenticeship program? What types of art, what mediums, are represented?
There are over 160 master artists across 37 countries hosting apprenticeship programs through VAWAA, and growing. They represent the diversity and richness of global craft traditions spanning a wide range of disciplines, from ceramics, printmaking, culinary and textiles to photography, metalwork, and even tattooing—each deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and creative practice. The artists in our network are globally recognized practitioners, multi-generational keepers of heritage crafts, and innovative contemporary makers. They specialize in mediums as diverse as Japanese stencil printing, shoemaking, glass art, horsehair jewelry, and even experimental sound art.
What drew you to the American Craft Council as a potential partner for this work?
What drew us to the American Craft Council is its long-standing dedication to shaping and elevating the craft community. Since 1979, the ACC has been at the forefront of championing the value of craft in America—preserving its history, celebrating its diversity, and highlighting its transformative power in society. Their commitment to supporting both traditional and contemporary artisans aligns perfectly with VAWAA’s mission of honoring craftsmanship and fostering deeper connections to the creative process.
I believe there’s a powerful synergy between our missions: both aim to connect people to the rich, transformative power of craft, but in different ways. While the Council has long championed the legacy and future of American craft, VAWAA takes a more hands-on approach by offering people the opportunity to not only appreciate, but to experience the craft firsthand, by learning directly from masters around the world. The Council’s recognition of VAWAA as a platform that amplifies this kind of global, immersive experience feels like a natural and meaningful partnership.
The American Craft Council’s incredible directory of distinguished fellows is a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise. We’re excited about the opportunity to support these fellows in hosting apprenticeships through the VAWAA platform, ensuring their invaluable knowledge is passed down and preserved for future generations. I’m genuinely excited to collaborate with an organization that shares our values of craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning.
Now that VAWAA has established a strong foundation with global recognition and impact, how do you hope that it will grow and what role do you see the American Craft Council playing in that growth?
Now that VAWAA has established a strong foundation with a global community of artists and creative learners, we are focused on expanding both the breadth and depth of our offerings. Our mission has always been to connect people with craft through immersive, hands-on experiences with masters from around the world. Moving forward, we aim to grow by continuing to build on our artist network, bringing in more diverse craftspeople from different cultures and traditions, while also expanding the types of creative disciplines we feature. Additionally, we’re excited to build a broader community around this exchange, fostering deeper connections between artists, their apprentices, and creative enthusiasts.
The American Craft Council’s role in this growth is invaluable. With its incredible legacy of supporting and recognizing American craftsmanship, ACC offers an unmatched platform for us to connect with influential craft leaders, institutions, and artists. We look forward to collaborating on a more expansive scale, not only highlighting American craft but also strengthening the global exchange of knowledge. Through our partnership, we hope to support the Council’s distinguished fellows by creating more opportunities for them to host apprenticeships, ensuring that the knowledge and traditions they hold are passed on to future generations.
We also see the Council playing a vital role in helping us expand our reach to new audiences and advocates for craft, enhancing both awareness and appreciation for the kinds of transformative experiences VAWAA offers. Together, we can amplify the conversation around the value of hands-on learning, craft preservation, and creative expression in a world that is increasingly looking for more authentic and meaningful connections.
For more from ACC on VAWAA don’t miss the story featured in the Fall 2024 issue of American Craft magazine, “Learning With Makers.”
