Third-generation weaver leads at Chimayó studio

Emily Trujillo has taken over the leadership of Centinela Traditional Arts in Chimayó.

The studio, located along the High Road to Taos, operates as a workshop and showroom for Rio Grande-style weaving. The Trujillo family has been involved in this craft since the late 19th century. Irvin Trujillo, the father, is a descendant of the families that originated the Chimayó style at the turn of the last century. He learned the trade from his father, Jacobo Ortega Trujillo, who wove at night after working at Los Alamos National Laboratory during the day. Irvin met his wife, Lisa, at a concert in the early 1980s. They opened Centinela in 1982 after their graduation and marriage.

The weaving style relies on Churro sheep wool, a tradition dating back to the arrival of the animals with Coronado in 1540. Weavers use standing looms to create weft-faced plain weaving. The final pieces often feature contrasting colors and strong graphic designs such as horizontal stripes, Saltillo patterns, and valleros. During the Spanish and Mexican periods, weavers were limited to black, white, and indigo wool. The introduction of synthetic dyes in the 1860s allowed for brighter colors. Irvin Trujillo has received a Master’s Award for Lifetime Achievement from Traditional Spanish Market, a 2007 National Heritage Fellowship, and a 2015 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Emily Trujillo, 33, is the eighth-generation weaver in the family. She double majored in psychology and ethnology in college. She initially considered other career paths before deciding to return to weaving. She cites the risk of the art form disappearing as a primary motivator. Estimates suggest there are between 200 and 250 active Chimayó-style weavers. Emily teaches classes at Centinela and in Albuquerque, Española, and Taos. She also guest curates museum shows and seeks grants for textile preservation. Her work often incorporates modern aesthetic sensibilities, such as bright colors and geometric forms inspired by K-pop.

Lisa Trujillo manages the financial side of the business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. The family previously focused on production weaving to subsidize larger, more expensive tapestries. Emily is now shifting the focus back to an artist-driven gallery space. She teaches students of all ages, noting that finding qualified teachers is becoming difficult. She splits her time between Chimayó and Albuquerque to seek economic and artistic opportunities. The studio continues to display works by the family, including pieces that mix traditional techniques with contemporary designs.