A specialized stitch, colcha embroidery techniques and traditions traveled North to Colorado from New Mexico—but the women of the San Luis Valley transformed the traditional patterns into a wholly new art form, depicting elaborate landscapes and stories important in their lives. The way these Valley artists practice their craft is unique to Southern Colorado.
This exhibition is in collaboration with The Range, an art space in Saguache, Colorado, and features works from generations of colcha embroidery artists, contemporary colcha embroidery from the region, and pieces on loan from History Colorado and the Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center.
Curated by Adrienne Garbini, The Range, and the Arvada Center.
PRESS:
"Lost art returns to the Arvada Center." - Rocky Mountain PBS
"After 41 years, an artist reunites with missing work." - Rocky Mountain PBS
"Colcha embroidery of the San Luis Valley on display in Arvada." - Alamosa News
"In the San Luis Valley, artisans paint pictures of everyday life using colcha embroidery" - Colorado Public Radio
"Once missing San Luis Valley treasures now on display at Arvada Center" - CBS Denver