Master Weaver Lois Becenti Leads Navajo Rug Weaving Workshop in Gallup

Master weaver Lois A. Becenti led a two-hour Diné rug weaving workshop at the Octavia Fellin Public Library in Gallup, drawing local residents to learn traditional loom techniques and to reinforce the cultural craft economy. The session ran from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm MST on Jan. 23 at 115 W. Hill Ave., and organizers posted the event on a local events calendar on Jan. 22.

The workshop offered hands-on instruction in warp setup and basic weft techniques, aimed at preserving skills that are central to Navajo textile traditions and to many household economies across McKinley County. Octavia Fellin Public Library programming has become a community hub for arts education, and hosting a master weaver like Lois A. Becenti puts an expert resource within reach of Gallup residents who may not have formal apprenticeship opportunities.

For local artisans and the broader Gallup economy, skill-transmission events matter in concrete ways. Authentic Diné rugs command premiums in specialty markets compared with factory-made imitations, and a steady pipeline of trained weavers helps maintain both cultural authenticity and local earning potential. Workshops that lower the barrier to entry can expand the number of makers able to move from hobby sales to part-time or full-time craft income, feeding nearby galleries, weekend markets, and the visitor economy that flows through U.S. Highway 491 and the Route 66 corridor.

Public programming also ties into municipal and tribal policy choices. Libraries that allocate space and staff time to craft instruction effectively subsidize cultural preservation and workforce development at low cost. Local leaders in McKinley County and Gallup could leverage modest program funding to boost small-business licensing support, materials grants, and market access initiatives that convert cultural assets into measurable economic returns for artisans.

Longer-term trends favor skilled makers who can certify provenance and tell the story behind their work. Digital marketplaces and social media have broadened audiences for Navajo textiles, but they also heighten competition and the need for clear authenticity signals. Training led by recognized masters like Lois A. Becenti helps sustain those signals by teaching traditional patterns, techniques, and cultural context that buyers increasingly seek.

The workshop reinforced Gallup's role as a living center for Diné weaving while delivering practical skills to residents. For readers interested in future programming, Octavia Fellin Public Library on West Hill Avenue continues to host community arts events; keeping an eye on the library calendar will be the best way to find the next opportunity to learn from master artisans.