Did you know that Santa Fe is one of 246 worldwide members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network? Santa Fe’s membership in the Network has led to an exchange in 2022 between two Santa Fe artists and two Trinidad, Cuba artists. In both cities there are artisans keeping traditions vibrant. Using the traditional methods of their city, the artists have embroidered half of a 22” square and in the coming months the artists in the other city will embroider the other half, bringing two traditions together. 

“We are excited about this exchange and looking forward to sharing the results with the community. Culture joins us together and establishes relationships that foster conservation and stewardship of ideas and heritage,” says Pauline Kanako Kamiyama, Director of the City of Santa Fe Arts and Culture Department.

The Santa Fe artists are Julia R. Gomez and Barbara Romero Alba. Both are experts at the Spanish Colonial colcha stitching. Julia mentored Barbara in learning about this style of embroidery. They and others keep the tradition alive with by demonstrating and teaching at institutions such as El Rancho de las Golondrinas and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art in Santa Fe.

Trinidad’s artists are Zobeida Gonzalez and Obdulia Gonzales. They are experts at embroidery, crochet, and drawn thread techniques. Zobeida and Obdulia and other members of the Urdimbre collective demonstrate, teach, and sell their crafts at the Museo Romantico on the main plaza. The building was completed in 1808 and it now houses a collection of 19th century artifacts illustrating the life of Trinidad’s wealthy class at that time.

The project is coordinated by Sabrina Pratt, a Santa Fe based consultant working with the City of Santa Fe Arts and Culture Department. Pratt conceived the idea for the project and traveled to Trinidad in April 2022 to make the exchange of the half completed works. An exhibit is tentatively planned for fall 2022 in the Community Gallery at the Santa Fe convention center.