EVFAC News:The Española Valley Fiber Arts Center has announced the Nov. 2 grand opening of its Santa Fe satellite location. Previously the home of Amores Yarn, in the heart of the Railyard District, the new shop is at 328 S Guadalupe St., Ste E.
“The expansion into Santa Fe was a logical progression for us,” EVFAC Executive Director Denielle Rose said. “We’ve been looking for the right storefront to grow EVFAC’s program-ming and when this opportunity arose we knew we had to take it.”
EVFAC’s largest and most successful annual show, Fall Fiber Fiesta, held at Santa Fe’s Scottish Rite Temple is now in its 7th year. The festival draws visitors from across the state and even Texas and Colorado. This year’s fiesta, Nov. 22-24, is anticipated to be the biggest yet. The addition of this shop means Santa Fe and its visitors can enjoy access to locally made artisan-produced fiber crafts, supplies, and workshops year-round.
EVFAC’s new store comes with a slight name change. The ‘New Mexico Fiber Arts Center’, as it will be known, denotes the statewide reach EVFAC is hoping to achieve.
“Española will always be our home, and we will continue to expand arts programming here, and engage deeply in the local community,” he said. “We are excited for the greater awareness of EVFAC and New Mexico’s rich fiber arts history this addition will bring.”
EVFAC was founded in 1995 when a small group of weavers learned that there were many families in the area who had inherited looms but had little knowledge of the techniques and heritage of New Mexican textiles. With donated looms and space in a local church, the group began to teach weaving. As it increased in size and started offering classes, the group moved to rented space in Española, hired a manager, and formally opened its doors for business in October 1996.
The Center soon became a source of supplies and tools for local weavers. The group incorporated and became a nonprofit Membership organization with 501(c)(3) in 1997, and defined its mission: to preserve and promote the rich textile heritage of Northern New Mexico by providing learning and teaching experiences for all ages and backgrounds, and by providing encouragement and training towards economic sustainability in the Fiber Arts. This Santa Fe location is the next chapter of their mission.
Doors open today, Oct. 26, for the New Mexico Fiber Arts Center (NMFAC)’s soft opening. Shop 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The public is invited to the grand opening 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, which includes celebratory drinks and snacks.
In honor of EVFAC’s expansion, a generous group of donors has allowed the center exclusive access to a collection of museum-quality vintage and antique textiles before they move on to Sotheby’s Auction House. These pieces are available for a very limited time. Their sale begins with the store’s soft opening, and will be showcased at the grand opening celebration. All proceeds benefit EVFAC.
Want to support EVFAC’s mission? Make a donation online, or at either location. Or, consider becoming a member. Memberships start at just $60, and come with a host of benefits ranging from retail and workshop discounts to inclusion in group shows throughout the year.
Memberships and monetary donations to EVFAC are completely tax-deductible. Learn more at EVFAC.org.
