BORDER LOOMERS
Reintroducing Traditional Mexican Weaving to the Borderlands
ASSEMBLING VOICES FELLOWSHIP
About
Border
Loomers
Why Border Loomers?
Border Loomers was born from a simple truth: growing up in Naco, Sonora, I rarely saw Mexican folk art represented in my community, and opportunities to explore creativity felt almost impossible. Border communities are full of talent, stories, and ancestral knowledge, but without access or exposure, people often don’t realize what they’re capable of. This project brings traditional Mexican weaving back to the borderlands, creating spaces where youth and adults alike can experience, learn, and participate in an art form that belongs to their culture and their history.
Through workshops, exhibitions, and community engagement, Border Loomers reconnects people with their heritage while opening doors to creative expression. It’s about more than weaving: it’s about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and imagining futures where borderland communities recognize their creativity as valuable and possible. By introducing weaving in an accessible, culturally rooted way, Border Loomers empowers participants to reclaim their artistic voices and see the border as a space of creativity and opportunity.
How It All Started
Border Loomers began as a personal journey of reconnection. Growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border in Naco, Sonora, I rarely saw traditional Mexican folk art represented in my community. As a young artist, I didn’t initially imagine that creating and sharing art could be possible for me. It wasn’t until I formally studied jewelry at Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende that I began to see a path forward - a way to merge creativity with cultural identity.
Years later, with the support of my community and an Arizona Artist Opportunity Grant, I returned to the Instituto Allende to study traditional Mexican weaving. Immersed in the techniques, stories, and ancestral knowledge of master weavers, I realized this was more than an art form - it was a way to honor my roots and give back to the borderlands that shaped me. Border Loomers grew from that realization: a project to bring traditional weaving home, create access for others, and show that the border is a place of creativity, heritage, and possibility.
Emmanuel Fernando Serrano
I rarely saw Mexican folk art represented in my community, and creative opportunities felt limited. Experiencing this gap early on made me passionate about bringing art back to the borderlands and creating spaces for others to explore their creativity.
My formal art journey began with jewelry-making, where I learned discipline, technique, and how to translate ideas into physical objects. This experience laid the foundation for all my creative work today and taught me the value of craft and intention.
Guided by master artisans and supported by an Arizona Artist Opportunity Grant, I immersed myself in weaving techniques and ancestral knowledge. This practice connected me to my cultural roots and inspired the creation of Border Loomers.
In this role, I support students by helping them navigate the studio, access tools, and develop their artistic practices. Being a part of their creative journeys reinforces my commitment to education and mentorship.
Working closely with director Laurie McKenna, I help foster collaborative art initiatives and community engagement. This experience has strengthened my skills in organizing workshops and building creative networks.
Alongside these roles, I’ve led workshops, developed curricula, and curated exhibitions for both youth and adult audiences. These experiences allow me to share traditional weaving while empowering borderland communities to recognize their own creative potential.
Recent work
From November 19-23 2025, I participated in the Patagonia Lake State Park Artist Residency in Arizona, supported by a state artist opportunity grant. During the residency, I practiced cyanotype printing and guided participants in creating art for the first time. Over the course of the week, I also developed a whole body of work, culminating in a gallery-style presentation alongside the workshop on the third day. Experiences from these days are already shaping Border Loomers, inspiring new ways to teach, curate exhibitions, and engage communities along the border.
Exhibitions & Workshops
Traditional Mexican Tapetes
bord·er·line
A Border Loomers Exhibition
A group exhibition featuring Felipe, Mago, and Fernando, bringing together three perspectives rooted in Mexico, border life, and traditional weaving. This show will be presented at Central School Project in Bisbee, Arizona the first major Border Loomers exhibition.
Workshops
Cardboard Loom Weaving
Learn the basics of weaving using simple cardboard looms, yarn, and fibers. Perfect for beginners or youth, participants leave with a small, finished piece and foundational skills.
Frame Loom Weaving
Create larger, more intricate weavings on wooden frame looms. Explore color, pattern, and texture while practicing traditional techniques and developing your own style.
Experimental Weaving
Experiment with fibers, textures, and unconventional materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces. This workshop encourages improvisation, personal expression, and creative problem-solving.
Community Collaborations & Oral Histories
Collaborating Artists & Mentors
Deb Maroney - Master Weaver, Bisbee AZ
Deb is a foundational mentor in my weaving journey. A deeply skilled Bisbee-based weaver, she has taken me under her wing and guided me through the process of dressing looms, understanding structure, and honoring the rhythm of traditional weaving. Her generosity, technical wisdom, and belief in my practice have directly shaped the direction of Border Loomers.
Dale Miller - Artist & Fabricator, Bisbee AZ
Dale is a multidisciplinary Bisbee artist and collaborator who is building the custom frame looms for our community and youth workshops. His craftsmanship makes our hands-on weaving sessions possible, and he brings a spirit of care and collaboration that strengthens the entire project.
Central School Project - Nonprofit Arts & Cultural Center, Bisbee AZ
Central School Project has been a place where I’ve felt supported, seen, and encouraged to grow as an artist. It’s a space that has allowed me to flourish creatively while staying deeply connected to community. Through this collaboration, Central School Project will host our bord•er•line exhibition and a hands-on weaving workshop for Make Festival on March 21-a meaningful opportunity to give back to a place that has given me so much.
Voices of San Miguel de Allende
In San Miguel, I conducted interviews with local weavers and artists, capturing stories that bridge generations and honor ancestral techniques. These conversations reveal how traditional practices continue to influence contemporary art and inspire new approaches to fiber arts.
Thank You
Border Loomers is supported in part by the Assembling Voices Fellowship through Columbia University’s Incite Institute. Their belief in community storytelling and borderland arts has helped shape the vision and possibilities of this project. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity, guidance, and momentum this fellowship provides.
