Preserving Cultural Heritage through Collaborative Design: A Participatory Action Research on Nakhon Silver Niello Jewelry in Thailand

Jedsada Suksikarn (Department of Art Education, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University)
Rewat Suksikarn (Department of General Education (Design Innovation), Center of Geosocial and Cultural Research for Sustainable Development, Walailak University)

Journal of Visual Art and Design
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026): In Progress

This research developed innovative Nakhon silver nielloware jewelry appealing to younger and professional demographics while safeguarding traditional craftsmanship through community-based collaboration. Utilizing participatory action research with Actor-Network Theory principles, twenty community members co-created two jewelry collections inspired by water droplets and "Nakhon Song Tham" symbolism. The designs achieved high consumer satisfaction (4.57/5.0) and successful commercialization with 52,000 THB revenue from initial market testing. Comprehensive knowledge preservation through multimedia documentation received 4.56/5.0 satisfaction ratings. The study demonstrates how participatory approaches can effectively balance cultural authenticity with commercial viability, contributing to UNESCO's safeguarding framework and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 for cultural sustainability.