
Avani Varia
"Life to me is an exhilarating journey of ongoing evolution…
Avani aspires to initiate and manage collaborative projects (National and International) with education, research, design and tourism to safeguard Heritage and Arts apace with sustainable income generation. To work for international projects that represent India to the world via Arts, Design & Culture would be an ideal inspirational situation for Avani.
Hailing from the Varia community traditional potters, in the state of Gujarat in India, is where she gets sense of aesthetics and love for the arts and crafts. Avani Varia admires the great culture of her home country and its rich legacy of arts and crafts. She has lived a life without electricity or water supply at home; where living was dependent on natural resources and daily routine would circulate around the movements of the sun. From that humble upbringing she has picked up values of living with upcycling, reuse, recycle and the handskills of crafts and design from her mother and father which demonstrates in her personal lifestyle and works as well.
With wide range of experience over 2 decades now (in 2020) Avani Varia gives freelance consultation to global clientele and has her own independent inititatives.
She was formally educated in India in numerous aspects of design and teaching, and subsequently received her MA in Arts and Heritage Management from London. Her experience includes of teaching and managing art, craft and design projects. She has been working at various capacities since 1996; researcher and documentation personal, multidimensional designer, brand manager, teacher and lecturer, publicity strategist, manager, merchandiser, facilitator, curator, mentor, an artist and a systems person. A detailed updated professional journey of Avani at LinkedIn.
She believes in life long learning and non-formal education. Fondly known as an Eternalnomad, she loves to travel and meet people of different cultures and background. From the day she started travelling on her own she is curious to learn handskills (traditional and contemporary) which she is sure to continue till her last day on this earth. Avani is an artist in her own right, checkout her Art explorations.

Publications & International Papers

August 2021
“SPIN OFF” Magazine by Long Thread Media, Fort Collins, CO, 80524
“Spinning Arts, Education, and Economy in India”

March 2015
“Smart People” Magazine
“what is needed for Indian women to reach international platform”
June 2015
“Smart People” Magazine
“Reviving Heritage Spaces in Gujarati Home”
Think Global Be Local – પણીયારુ- વિસરાતી જતી વારસાગત ગુજરાતી ઘરની જગ્યા


1 Oct 2015, Page 120,122
Feelings Magazine
સમાજમા સ્ત્રીની ભૂમિકા ખૂબ જે મોટી છે, અને સાઇલેંટ છે. આપણા ભાગમા આવેલ દરેક જવાબદારી ખુશી ખુશી નીભાવવી. – અવની
Dec 1, 2015
‘Parampara’ (Traditional Paniyary, a sacred water space) – a book on India’s climate friendly and sustainable practices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasing ‘Parampara’ at the Paris conference. Publication was exclusively part of the International Climate Change Conference Paris in 2015.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/cop-21-live-updates/article7933275.ece


12th – 13th May, 2011
Pairings: Conversations, Collaborations, Materials – International Conference – Avani Varia presented for two as below:
FIRST:
The Savarkundla Project and Beyond – a slide-illustrated presentation with Prof. Cindy Gould of IOWA State University
(page 66 to 69)
SECOND:
An audio-visual montage and poster on VARIA Community potters of India.
Jan 1, 2014
‘The Trellis’, a publication by National Institute of Design, The Savarkundala project and beyond – a collaborative article

Recommendations
Avani Varia is a great human being, I believe that is the most important virtue one has to have to do anything they want to. because of her humanitarian values, she is easy to work with, excellent in approaching people of all levels and is definitely a great expert in her fields of art and crafts heritage. She is an inspirer and effortlessly brings people closer to their forgotten heritage. it was indeed a pleasure working with her and I would look for more opportunities to repeat these experiences.
It has been a pleasure to have worked with Avani and our association stretches back to our meeting in UK. Avani is an inspirational individual with a plethora of initiatives under her wings, she is an excellent resource person for heritage arts and crafts, a well groomed educator and a passionate activist. Her latest endeavor in reviving Charkha and the art hand spinning brings out the patriot amongst us.
It is nice to recommend Ms Avani Varia for her contribution towards the heritage and arts-related projects especially her initiatives for Ahmedabad the first World Heritage City of India. She is an enthusiastic professional self-motivated with her works in the area of education, research, design and tourism to safeguard Heritage and Arts apace with sustainable income generation. I am aware of her programs ‘Museums of Ahmedabad’ and ‘The Heritage Film Festival’ that are germinated from the city and now growing at India and international level. Such programs are very much required for creating awareness amongst the citizens (keeping children and youth as focus) and sensitize them to actively participate for promotion and conservation of India’s Heritage and Arts. Her multi-skilled personality and diverse experience is an asset for her clients as well as to India.
I learnt the art of hand spinning cotton on the charkha from Avni and she is an amazing teacher and guide. The experience of spinning cotton is very calming. Avni guided me through each and every little step of it very patiently. From how to open the portable box charkha to spin cotton, from cleaning the parts to oiling it and winding spun yarn.
I came across Avni while I spent a week at Khamir, an NGO in Bhuj, Kutch, in November 2007. Avani is creative, energetic, and well organized. Avni would be an asset to any organization whether as an employee or as a consultant.
Avni is very detailed oriented. She is also very creative and has strong artistic talent.
I wrote an article about the design school run by the Varia family. I would recommend the Avni and her family for any design related projects.
Avni and I have worked together on an international exhibition of Indian crafts. I love her passion for crafts and working with artisan communities. She is great as a colleague - passionate about her work, professional, confident, and excellent team player.
Avni joined Khamir while i was entrusted to work there as mentor. she was recruited to provide not only design inputs but also to create earning opportunities for craftsmen of Kutch. She did her job with all the seriousness and with the empathy the job demanded. she did her work independently and was instrumental in changing lives of many artisan. I find her a lady with clear concepts and a zeal to make an impact. she is outspoken and very clear in her perception of objectives. i wish her luck in whatever she undertakes in future life
Avni is a passionate art craft heritage revivalist based in Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India.Through her craft,culture and heritage based initiatives Avni enhances and gives platform to Indian rural artisans. Her initiative aadhar heritage film festival in ahmedabad promotes and screens craft based documentary films exposing urban people to the rich lifestyles,cultures,traditions and beautiful workmanship of Indian Kaarigars and the same time gives a fair chance to young talented students entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and talents through these film festivals and several events managed in & out of Ahmadabad. I salute such women who dare to do something different and spread awareness through their initiatives. I wish her all the very best and hope i can add some value contribute to her initiative some day . Warm Regards neha
It is a pleasure for me to recommend Avani. She worked for me as research assistant and translator throughout all stages of my project in Ahmedabad in 2013 and 2014. I found her to be professional all times, helpful and supportive, and not afraid to share her thoughts and opinions on the local knowledge and cultural subtleties. I recommend her highly and look forward to working with her again.
I was working with avani in 4th ICEE. She is very helpful and passionate towards her work.
Avni is a very inspirational individual, a talented leader and organiser that takes a project from concept to completion and makes it a success.
Avani is a very committed and passionate young lady. She is very creative and resourceful and thinks on her feet. It has been fun and a pleasure working with her. I wish her great success in all her creative endeavors in the future.
I have found Avani to be a very methodical and conscientious professional. She has the ability to spot the weakness of the organization and strengthen it. She is a hard working person.