about benita

Born and raised in Questa, New Mexico, Benita Ortega-Rael currently lives in Ranchos de Taos. She can trace her family ancestry to the early Spanish colonists in northern New Mexico.  

She has exhibited her colcha in Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque and is a member of the Hacienda de los Martinez Colcha Group. Recently, Benita started teaching colcha embroidery, and is excited to pass on this tradition to younger generations so that the tradition continues.  

Through our Emerging Weavers Cohort, Benita is learning to weave sabanilla cloth from Navajo-Churro sheep wool — the traditional cloth which serves as the medium for colcha embroidery. 

Benita loves the traditional colcha form, but also creates contemporary pieces. She has been inspired by many teachers of colcha — especially Connie Fernandez of Taos and Annette Gutierrez-Turk of Albuquerque.