Jan 7 2009
I once thought that the Navajo rug was the only traditional textile in New Mexico. But as I followed the Fiber Arts Trail, I learned about the multi-cultural history of New Mexico through the beautiful weavings and textiles that I discovered. I also learned about yarns, natural dyes and the importance of supporting the art of weaving. Both the Navajo weaving traditions and the Rio Grande weaving traditions influenced each other. As you travel and see the weavers' work, you will soon recognize this cross-cultural influence. You, too, can follow the rural Fiber Arts Trail, enjoy the scenery, learn more and purchase some of these fantastic traditional textiles.Following the Fiber Arts Trail
While you can pick up a map and brochure from most of the stops we will share with you, the Fiber Arts Trail folks have made important information available online including the brochure and map!
Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center
Just north of Santa Fe, in the little town of Espanola, is the Fiber Arts Center. The Center offers classes, provides studio space and supports local sheepherders by purchasing their wool.
It's a good starting place to find out about New Mexico weaving, see the looms and, perhaps, some of the artisans at work. They have a great little gallery where you can purchase beautiful items made by their wide network of weavers.
The Fiber Arts Center was founded in 1995 by a group of weavers with the goal of ensuring the survival of area textile traditions.
Map
Website.
Tierra Wools in Los Ojos
Los Ojos is a little town, off the beaten path, but well worth a visit. Tierra Wools, located in a century-old building, is a worker-owned company and a fantastic place to see the weaving process from start to finish. When I visited, I was introduced to the natural dyes used in the wools - all from plants, flowers and seeds. You can see the wool being dyed in outdoor dye pots over pinon and cedar fires. and hung to dry in the shed behind the shop.
You can visit with the weavers at Tierra Wools. The members sell their work exclusively through the gallery there. Some of the more noteworthy weavers like Teri Garcia from Tierra Amarilla and Pauline Moya and Angie Serrano from Los Ojos have won first place awards at the Spanish Market in Santa Fe and the New Mexico State Fair.
Many of the weavings you will see are considered of the Rio Grande Spanish weaving tradition. The tapestry weavers draw inspiration from design elements from the old Rio Grande blankets and add in their own contemporary flair.
While there, my friend spent time talking with weaver, Olivia Valdez, and ended up purchasing a beautiful wool hat from her. It was a treasure to take home that can not be duplicated anywhere.
Map
Website
Centinella Traditional Arts in Chimayo
You'll also have the opportunity to visit weavers' studios. We drove down a country path, parked next to an orchard and enjoyed visiting the studio of Irvin Trujillo and his wife. Irvin, a seventh generation weaver, descended from Don Gariel Ortega, the first Ortega in Chimayo. The Trujillos have been in the area since the latter part of the 18th Century. Weaving has been an important part of Chimayo history and economy since the early 19th century.
At Centinella you will see work by other local artists in addition to Irvin's award-winning textiles and those of his wife. In addition, they offer information and good resource books on local weaving.
Map
Website
Ortega's in Chimayo
The story of the Ortegas goes back to the early 1700's when Gabriel Ortega came to the area with a group of settlers to settle in what is now Chimayo. Life at that time consisted of farming and weaving. The latter often being done during the winters. The Ortega family and other Chimayo weavers began by weaving every day textiles for the use of people in the local area. When the railroad extended to Espanola in 1885, this opened up new markets for their blankets and rugs.
Ortegas is probably the best known weaving shop in the area. Many visitors don't realize that the orignal family homestead is part of the current building complex.
In the early 1900's the Ortega family opened a general store on the site. They sold weavings as well as everyday items. As more people discovered Santa Fe and the beautiful traditions of New Mexico, the demand for the weavings increased and today, the once general store, sells only the Ortega weavings along with area jewelry and pottery. The business has eveolved so that the Ortegas now employ other local weavers to weave garments with their designs.
When you visit Ortega's, you will see a large showroom with rugs, coats, vests, purses and more. When I was there, I was surprised to find a man from Japan buying up several colorful vests for resale back home. The Ortegas and Chimayo weaving are now known world-wide!
Map
Website
There are many more destinations on the Fiber Arts Trail and to take in everything may necessitate several trips to New Mexico. The Trail is more than a list of weaving places to visit, it's a beautiful scenic drive through the countryside, and the history, of New Mexico.
