CentinelaChimayoWeavers

We have fixed the phones here at Centinela!
We look forward to your calls!
We apologize for any missed calls while the lines were down, we don't know exactly when they stopped working.

Hello!
We've been informed that our phone lines have been down, we're currently troubleshooting and contacting support about how we can get them running again.
Sorry if we missed your call!
Send us an email/message if you have questions and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

We have spaces available for our January 2026 Rio Grande / Chimayo Weaving class!
Our four day workshops are perfect for beginners as well as experienced weavers to have the opportunity to weave using one of our vintage Rio Grande Looms
www.chimayoweavers.c...

Emily Trujillo has written a blog post detailing the full impact of having an interpretive dance developed about her family's tradition of Chimayo Weaving and her experience being the inspiration behind Zeitgeist Dance Theatre's production of "Lineage".

www.chimayoweavers.c...

Did you know that the cochineal beetle can be found in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
You can see this parasitic beetle thriving in white clusters on cactus throughout the city. A pound of cochineal is required for each pound of yarn in order to achieve the darkest reds using this beetle.

Lisa Trujillo was commissioned to weave the prototype for the serape worn by Josefina; who is one of the dolls in American Girl's Historical Characters series, representing a young Hispanic girl growing up in New Mexico in 1824.

Happy Halloween from Centinela Traditional Arts!
This year Mr. Jimin is dressed as the American Girl doll Josefina.

Emily Trujillo's October class held at Taos Wools!
Sometimes in her classes she is also visited by the furry friends of her weaving students. These beautiful dogs were woven blankets from their owner. This is the only place she has taught rug weight weaving.
#weavingclass

Learn Chimayo Weaving with Lisa & Irvin in United States Spend your vacation in United States and learn Chimayo Weaving from Lisa & Irvin. Lisa and Irvin are acclaimed master weavers with over 35 years of experience in the art of Chimayó weaving—a New Mexican tradition known for its bold stripes and central design motifs. Irvin, an eighth-generation weaver, began apprenticing under his father at the age of ten. He is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship—the United States’ highest honor in folk and traditional arts. After meeting in the 1980s through a shared artistic passion, Lisa and Irvin co-founded a weaving studio and gallery, solidifying both their creative and life partnership. Their work is an immersion of styles, history, and intricate techniques drawn from a centuries-old craft rooted in Mexican and Navajo origin stories. Though grounded in tradition, Lisa and Irvin seek to push the boundaries of Chimayó and Rio Grande weaving to ensure its continued relevance. Each piece begins with the coarse, long and strong fibers of churro wool harvested from sheep raised by Irvin’s sister, which Lisa spins into yarn. She specializes in natural dyeing and complex patternwork inspired by Indigenous traditions. In her words, “The key to each design is lots of contrast so your work is not hidden.” Lisa’s work, celebrated for its intricacy and cultural resonance, reflects a deep reverence for ancestral knowledge. Irvin, by contrast, sees spontaneity as the crux of his approach—guided by curiosity, he explores modern forms while remaining rooted in tradition. His work is held in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, reflecting his role as both a preserver and innovator of American textile arts. Together, they honor their heritage while continually expanding the language of Chimayó and Rio Grande weaving. Lisa and Irvin believe that teaching is as essential to weaving as the loom itself. They are eager to share Chimayó traditions with anyone drawn to the loom, regardless of background. It’s the rhythm of the process—learning the logic of looms, edges, and materials—that makes guiding others an exciting journey of technique and creative expression.

Lisa had worked with their guild in Santa Rosa a couple of times before, but everyone all enjoyed the smaller, more focused opportunity during their time here at Centinela.

If you would like to take a VAWAA course with Lisa or Irvin Trujillo, register here:

Lisa Trujillo taught a group with VAWAA this month!
These ladies are all experienced weavers and were able to focus on learning new skills!

A beautiful 30X45 Modern Chimayo Weaving design by Valorie Valdez!
She has a unique take on mixing Chimayo weaving with modern design elements.

You can find this design here:
www.chimayoweavers.c...

If you make the trip to Chimayo, be sure to make a stop at the Rancho for good food and a cozy atmosphere.

The Trujillo family has a tradition that when someone in the family sells a big piece to go out to dinner at one of their favorite local businesses. (Leia gets to come of course! The forth member of the Centinela Staff and now one of Emily's best friends)

Last Tuesday Irvin Trujillo sold one of his weavings and the Centinela staff went out to the Rancho de Chimayo to celebrate!

A preview of Lisa Trujillo's next Chimayo Weaving!
We're still in the midst of New Mexico's tourist season, but our events for the year have calmed down and Lisa has been hard at work on the loom able to spend more time focusing on weaving projects again.

We're excited for the next batch of yarn from Irvin to see the new hues of pinks and reds it creates.

Although cochineal is a parasitic beetle for cactus, the color it produces when used as a natural dye is very vibrant and has historically been seen as a signifier of wealth; with it's value often compared to gold.
Thank you Peru for the their Cochineal Cosecha!

Irvin Trujillo has just finished a large batch of naturally dyed red yarn for the weavers at Centinela Traditional Arts!
He estimates this batch is worth about $300 in Cochineal dye!

New 20X20 Weavings from Sabina Lovato are now in stock!
Each chevron is unique and come in variety of shapes and colors.
We hope each one find a home to brighten up any space its in.

You can find this design here:
www.chimayoweavers.c...

Emily Trujillo's class at Centinela Traditional Arts from September 2025!
It was a very exciting class with beautiful finished pieces.

We are looking ahead to 2026 and already have our January class on the calendar!

You can register here:
www.chimayoweavers.c...

New pictorial weavings from Gloria Montoya are now available!
This weaving is from one of Gloria's "Sunset" series and includes the natural dyes of: Cochineal, Cotta, Black Walnut, Indigo over Chamisa, & Cochineal over Indigo.

You can find it here:
www.chimayoweavers.c...

A new Chimayo Weaving from Irvin Trujillo!
This piece he has been working on for the past few weeks and it is now ready for display here at Centinela. "Florescent Green Chimayo 2025" includes naturally dyed green with indigo over chamisa and acid dye for the pink highlights.
www.chimayoweavers.c...

New weavings from Valorie Valdez are now in stock here at Centinela!
This new Chimayo design includes our beautiful natural dyes: Black Walnut, Indigo, & Madder Root.
www.chimayoweavers.c...
#newmexico #weavings #fiberarts #localbusiness

A new Rio Grande weaving from Gloria Montoya!
This 20X60 weaving contains a rainbow of commercial and natural dyes, including: black walnut, madder root, indigo over chamisa, indigo, & cochineal.
#riogrande #newmexico #fiberarts #textiles #weaving #tapestry #localbusiness #localgallery #naturaldyes

Tiferet 50X74, Trampas Vallero, Lisa Trujillo, Rainbow mix of hand dyed mill-spun Churro Wool with natural dyes and acid dyes including: indigo, chamisa, madder root, cota, cochineal, & indigo over cochineal. (An AI overview of Tiferet) Tifereth (or Tiferet) means "beauty" or "glory" in Hebrew and is a central concept in K

You can find the piece here:

Although the beauty of Rio Grande weaving is that every style can come in many shades of colors, Vallero Weavings typically follow a red-orange color pallet. Instead, Lisa leaned towards a more dark purple-blue hue for the borders and highlighted the center design with a vibrant yellow.

"Tiferet" is a new Trampas Vallero weaving by Lisa Trujillo; born using mill-spun Churro Wool and a combination of natural and acid dyes, the title of the piece came to Lisa in a dream.

After Clasgens had shut down, we've been experimenting with larger batches of naturally dyed yarn to make up for colors we no longer have access to.
This weekend we are participating in the High Road Artisans Studio Tour & you're welcome to come see the yarn in person or ask Irvin questions!

New weavings from Gloria Montoya are now in stock here at Centinela Traditional Arts!
This mesa landscape design is filled with different shades of blue, all from naturally dyed indigo.
You can find this piece here:
www.chimayoweavers.c...
#weaving #fiberarts #textiles #tapestry #newmexico

We've been feeling that autumn chill in the mornings here in Northern New Mexico~
Stay nice and cozy with one of Robin Pascal's newest mobius scarves available here at Centinela Traditional Arts.
www.chimayoweavers.c...
#consignmentartist #localbusiness #weaving #textiles #fiberarts #newmexico