"As an artist, you want to know what you're going to do with your life, and what you are going to do with your art," says Christina Roberts, textile designer and apprentice coordinator of the Fabric Workshop and Museum. "Instead of just, doing [art] I'm trying to do something productive and constructive [with it]."

	"[The students] have nothing and were happy for any crumb of inspiration that would help them make a living and help their families." photo, Isis.bm

Robert's belief that art "is a vehicle that can be used to create something worthwhile" has partly to do with her travels. In 1993, a trip to Kenya affected her immensely. There she saw the devastation caused by poverty and AIDS. However, Roberts was amazed that, "people have so little, but they treat each other with so much respect. When people can still have that dignity and love for one another… when they have nothing. That struck me, and I felt I wanted to make a difference."

As Christina flips through the pictures of her work and travels, she describes a trip to Uganda in 1998, during which she went to teach a workshop. Pictures show children displaying their textile designs created by silk screen. She says the students were "amazing and respectful" and also, "have nothing and were happy for any crumb of inspiration that would help them make a living and help their families."

Roberts says, "The first time I went to Uganda, I feel as if I didn't do anything. This time I want to take that extra step".

This extra step will be "Marr-Fiki," a project that Roberts will take to Uganda in May 2005. Marr-Fiki, which means literally means "friends all" will be a project that will allow people in need to work creatively, while supporting themselves and helping their community. Roberts will set up a silk screen facility and will train about 30 designers to create textile designs that will be used for functional items such as fabric, clothing and handbags.

Proceeds from the project will be given to the workers, but will also benefit various charities including AIDS and education. Roberts explains that she also wants Marr-Fiki to help those in need in the United States. "…We have [poverty] in our own country. It's in our own backyard. I want to help here too," she says.

As the apprentice coordinator of the Fabric Workshop and Museum, Roberts is in charge of choosing the artists who will be a part of the museum's apprenticeship program. In addition to learning about the highly technical silk screen process and how a museum works, apprentices will be able to use their art to help others.

Roberts cites previous apprentice Venny Nnakazibwe as an inspiration for Marr-Fiki. A few years ago, Nnakazibwe wrote to the museum about the apprentice program. Roberts was astonished to find that Nnakazibwe had a Master of Fine Arts degree in Textiles, but never had the opportunity to work with silk screen.

Roberts emphasizes that people in other countries do not have the material items such as fabric and sewing machines that Americans have at their finger tips. Roberts was struck by Nnakazibwe's beautiful letter and invited her to work at the Fabric Workshop and Museum. After completing her apprenticeship, Nnakazibwe returned to Kenya and started her own facility with no money. All she had was the help of her community.

Roberts says that she does not need much money to start Mar-Fikki. She believes that this project could be successful if marketed correctly. Roberts cites the success of Natalie Chanin's Project Alabama clothing line that is hand sewn in quilting circles in Chanin's native Alabama. Roberts says they are "things that tell a story, [and that] it is so important."

This summer, Roberts will go to Kenya to meet people, get funding and make preparations for her project. Originally, Roberts had intended to start Marr-Fiki this summer, but a lack of funding has delayed her plans. However, Roberts will go to Uganda in May 2005 to start work, despite any financial barriers, because as she says, "I feel it's important, the work I do, and I dedicate myself to cultural activism."

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