Artes Del Valle
Inspired by Appalachian craft cooperatives, the Sisters of Divine Providence and local women established the Artes Del Valle co-op in 1973 as a way to train locals in traditional Hispanic crafts, such as colcha embroidery, weaving, and pottery. Sister Alice Lawler met Carmen Benavente Orrego-Salas during one of Carmen’s workshops in Northern New Mexico and invited her to teach embroidery to the women of Center as a way for them to supplement their income. The Sisters operated out of Center’s La Frontera building and established the San Juan Art Center at the nearby La Garita Church as a work and demonstration space. Colcha embroidery work in Center was focused on embroidering ornamentation of local flora and Hispanic motifs onto fabric that was then cut and sewn into skirts, vests, and handbags by a co-op seamstress.
Participating Artes Del Valle artists included Betsy Baca, Melissa Carter, Lucille Espinoza, Lupita Espinoza, Fran Jaramillo, Ora Jaramillo, Luella LeBlanc, Lucy Lovato, Emilia Lucero, Emilianita Lujan, Lydia Martinez, Nora Martinez, Cleo Salas, Adeline Sanchez, Clorinda Sanchez, Elaine Sanchez, Sally Sanchez, Stella Sanchez, Margaret Sandoval, Jeanette Trujillo, Clara Valdez, Grace Vigil, Ursula Vigil, and Bertie Vargas.