Artist in their Residence - Margaret Martinez-Blea Part II

Margaret Ann Martinez-Blea is an artist in the field of weaving and spinning wool for the purpose of creating traditional Native American rugs and tapestries. She has over 30 years of experience in the art of weaving and spinning. She began her work with a prominent weaving company called Tierra Wools located in Los Ojos, New Mexico. As she mastered the art of spinning wool from local sheep farmers, and dying the wool to create many different patterns during the weaving process, she was called upon as a prominent artist in that field.
Ms. Martinez-Blea is inspired by not only creating traditional weaving masterpieces, but also in training and coaching others in improving their technique and the use of looms as has been a traditional method used by many families in Northern New Mexico. She learned her craft by working with many other weavers in neighboring communities, and at the same time, she was able to share her ideas and techniques with young people who are interested in following in her footsteps.
In Part II of her residency, Ms. Martinez-Blea will be describing and demonstrating the methods for dyeing, spinning, and weaving with Churro wool.
This program is part of a series sponsored by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.