About the Project
A history rooted in textiles
Once hailed as "El Centro de Oro," Kensington thrived as a global textile powerhouse in the early 20th century, boasting hundreds of mills and a diverse immigrant workforce.
Among them, Puerto Ricans sought refuge from economic hardship, drawn to Kensington's bustling garment industry as the island's needlework sector declined.
However, the neighborhood's industrial zenith waned with the onset of deindustrialization in the 1950s, triggering a sharp population decline and enduring economic struggles.
Despite its storied past, Kensington now grapples with the legacy of its industrial glory, as grassroots initiatives strive to revitalize the community while honoring its rich immigrant heritage.
Our Mission:
An Idea in the Making
Tramando endeavors to breathe new life into Kensington's textile heritage. With a mission to combat economic decline and preserve cultural identity.
Cultural preservation through textile arts has the power to catalyze the creation of circular economies by revitalizing traditional crafts and techniques, fostering local production, and promoting sustainability. By valuing and preserving cultural practices, communities can generate economic opportunities within their own networks, reducing reliance on external resources and promoting a more self-sufficient and resilient economy.
Collective art-making in textile arts fosters a sense of agency by allowing individuals and diaspora communities to reclaim narratives and express identity through creative collaboration, empowering them to shape their own stories and reclaim ownership of their cultural heritage.
Taking Action
Tramando emerges as a vital response to understanding the impact deindustrialization had on Kensington, once revered and then neglected.
By revitalizing textile arts, the project aims to empower the community, providing new tools to combat gentrification and economic challenges.
Through professional development within the arts, Tramando reconnects residents with their cultural heritage while also equipping them with tangible skills to navigate a changing landscape.
As Kensington strives to reclaim its status as a vibrant hub, Tramando embodies the ideology of "El Centro de Oro," fostering resilience and empowerment among its residents, propelling them toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
Have more Questions?
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia. The Center invests in ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality and enhances public life, and engages in an exchange of ideas concerning artistic and interpretive practice with a broad network of cultural practitioners and leaders.
