Sudha’s Sari and Stitch with SACSS Featured in The New York Sari Exhibition

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Sudha’s Sari and Stitch with SACSS Featured in The New York Sari Exhibition

Sudha’s Sari and Stitch with SACSS Featured in The New York Sari Exhibition
The New York Sari exhibit is open to the public from September 12, 2025 to April 26, 2026 at the New York Historical Society.

The New York Sari, on display at the New-York Historical Society, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of South Asians in New York City and the ways in which the sari has been a symbol of tradition and identity. The exhibition began with a beautiful reception on 18th September, where many South Asians from across the city gathered to celebrate, adorning themselves in vibrant saris and traditional garments to honor the occasion.

The exhibition is beautifully curated by Salonee Bhaman, Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Women’s History and Public History, and Anna Danziger Halperin, Director for the Center for Women’s History.

A highlight of the exhibition is a Banarasi Jamawar sari belonging to Sudha Acharya, the founder of SACSS. Displayed prominently, the sari not only showcases exquisite craftsmanship and a delicate zari border but also symbolizes decades of dedication to community service and empowerment. Through Sudha’s leadership, SACSS has served over 1 million underserved New Yorkers over the past 25 years, offering essential services including healthcare access, food programs, mental health counseling, civic engagement, and workforce development.

“The sari is special to me as I wore it to my only daughter’s wedding reception. The event took place in Bengaluru, South India. I was complimented on this Jamawar sari from Benares which has an intricate hand-woven design that dates back to India’s Mughal era. I hope those who see it will appreciate the delicacy of the work and the beautiful zari border,” said Sudha Acharya, founder of SACSS.

SACSS also congratulates the recognition of other South Asians featured in the exhibition, including Council Member Shekhar Krishnan and his mother, Shahana Hanif, as well as many other women who proudly celebrate their heritage. It is through the support of South Asians like Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Mitra Kalita, founder of Epicenter NYC, that exhibits like these continue telling South Asian stories.

The exhibition also spotlights Stitch with SACSS, one of SACSS’s flagship workforce development programs. This initiative empowers underserved women by teaching them stitching skills at no cost, giving them the tools and knowledge to build their own small businesses. Upon completing the program, participants receive a sewing machine, enabling them to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods. By highlighting Stitch with SACSS alongside Sudha’s sari, the exhibition demonstrates the tangible ways in which tradition, art, and community service can come together to create lasting impact.

The exhibit features a video of women who have attended Stitch with SACSS, showing how they learned stitching and built new opportunities for themselves. Visitors are encouraged to contact SACSS at stitch@sacssny.org to contact Stitch with SACSS graduates for custom stitching projects.