Paltisana
The Palestinian Artisana Hub for handcrafts development — an incubator for artisans from Palestine established at Dar al-Kalima University for Arts and Design in 2020.
About Paltisana
The Palestinian Artisana Hub for handcrafts development "Paltisana" is an incubator for artisans from Palestine (mostly Dar al-Kalima University graduates) established at Dar al-Kalima University for Arts and Design in 2020.
Currently, the "Paltisana" network unites approximately 110 Palestinian artisans working with jewellery, glass, ceramics, embroidery, soap, wool, wood, painting, mosaic, stone, and more.
Our goal is to assist Palestinian artisans to become sustainable entrepreneurs. In our work we mainstream three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic.
Environmental Sustainability
We inspire and support artisans in reusing materials (e.g. glass bottles for glass crafts), seek new ideas to reduce and recycle waste (e.g. stone leftovers from quarrying), and encourage the use of natural raw materials that do not need to be transported over long distances.
Social Sustainability
We seek possibilities to enable artisans to use their skills and knowledge in the creation of a final product, giving each artisan a sense of fulfilment. We also strive to create opportunities for Palestinians to develop and pass skills in specific craft production from generation to generation, contributing to a more resilient society.
Economic Sustainability
We assist Palestinian artisans in gaining marketing and business-related skills, and constantly look for innovative ways and platforms to ease their access to local and international markets so that artisans can sell their products and have adequate income to support themselves and their families.
Through this comprehensive approach, Paltisana serves as a leading platform for supporting Palestinian artisan creativity, strengthening resilience, and ensuring sustainability.
Gallery Exhibitions
A selection of exhibitions hosted at Dar al-Kalima's gallery space.
Partners
Organizations and institutions that have supported Paltisana's artisans and programs.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Completed the illustration and graphic design for the 2025 Sumud Children's Book.
Turquoise Mountain
Supported the development of the Paltisana website (2025).
UNDP
A 2023 project developing designs for local products (basketry, pottery, embroidery), produced by Dar al-Kalima's artisans and trainers for the House of Crafts showroom at Ramallah Municipality.
Palestinian Ministry of Culture (with UNESCO)
Engraving on Copper training (2025).
UNESCO
Prepared an instructional manual for six endangered traditional crafts — three in Gaza and three in the West Bank (2021).
Pro Oriente (Austria)
Produced 500 olive-wood coasters (2021).
Caritas Jerusalem
Created baked colored-glass artworks for the Al-Malath Charitable Society (2025).
Care International
Developed the strategic plan for the Palestinian Artisans' Hub "Paltisana" (2020).
Monshati
Partnership in artisans' trainings.