November 21–27, 2026
CALCHAQUI VALLEYS
Traditional Loom and Natural Dyes Residency
ABRA’s Creative Residencies are spaces for deep immersion in the craft, designed for those who wish to slow down, delve into a technique, and devote time and attention to creative processes. Unlike travel programs, they offer a more focused and intensive experience, where working with one’s hands is at the heart of the experience.
For seven days, we’ll stay in the Calchaquí Valleys to immerse ourselves in the world of the traditional loom and natural dyes. It’s a time for pause and mindfulness, designed for a small group, where each participant works at their own loom and the act of creating becomes a shared experience.
8 participants · 8 traditional looms · 7 days
Traditional Loom
History and technique
The criollo loom is a traditional weaving tool, descended from the European looms brought by the colonizers, and is essential to textile production in various regions of Argentina, especially in the Northwest, from the Puna to Cuyo. It is characterized by its structure of four posts or forks that support the longitudinal beams on which the crossbeams rest; the heddles and pedals for operating the warp are mounted on these crossbeams. It is used to make sashes, ponchos, and other woolen garments, following techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Natural dyes and pampa geometric pattern
Research and Design
Dear artists, designers, and textile enthusiasts: We invite you to this artist residency, where we’ll blend traditional dyeing techniques with the art of the criollo loom, exploring the rich heritage of the pampa pattern and the peinecillo.
Objectives:
- Learn traditional techniques for natural dyes and inks, using local plants and materials to create a design in the warp.
- Master the criollo loom and its specific techniques, applying the “pampa pattern” technique (lifting threads while weaving) to create volume and/or “peinecillo”.
- Create a unique textile piece inspired by Calchaquí culture and nature, infused with each participant’s personal artistic vision.
Program:
- Introduction to the history and techniques of the criollo loom.
- Natural dyes workshop: gathering plants, preparing dyes and inks, and learning different application methods.
- Criollo loom sessions: setup, weaving, and finishing, led by artisans from the Calchaquí Valleys.
- Experimentation and creation of personal textile pieces.
Textiles as Territory
A textile is a structure formed by warp and weft threads, to which weavers imbue symbolic meaning through time-honored symbols passed down from the distant past. A textile is created to provide shelter, to serve as a means of transportation on a journey, and to participate in rituals; to soften the backs of animals and the floors of homes, and to make their walls colorful and welcoming; to clothe people and adorn chiefs and shamans.
The art of weaving is passed down through generations within the home: it is a communal body of knowledge upon which each weaver bases her own creative expression. Weavers have one foot in the past and the other in the present—they do not reject their heritage; rather, they embrace it, reinterpret it, and recreate it. We can see this in the threads and their colors.
Our artisans revive ancient textile techniques, thereby bringing new creations to life: pieces rich in cultural identity, yet with a contemporary flair. It is toward these creative realms that ABRA aims to soar with this collection.
CREATIVE RESIDENCY
- Duration: 6 nights / 7 days
- Dates for 2026 : November 21–27
- Meeting Point: Salta Airport
- Group size: 8 participants maximum
- Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older. No prior knowledge of the techniques is required.
- Total Price: 2,000 USD for residents / 2,300 USD for non-residents
- Reservation deposit: 700 USD
- Payment methods: Cash / Wire transfer / Bank deposit
- If you are an ABRA student, you receive a 10% discount = 1,800 USD.
- Contact us for availability / single room supplement.
- Residents of Brazil: contact your ABRA agent in Brazil
We confirm the trip once we reach the minimum number of participants required. At that point, we’ll ask you to pay the remaining balance; if the trip isn’t confirmed, we’ll refund the full amount of your reservation.
That’s why it’s important to wait for our confirmation before purchasing your airline ticket.
You can read the full details in our cancellation policy.
Email: abratextil@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 011 6265 1978
Where will we stay?
Hostería Finca Retiro
Hostería Finca Retiro
Hostería Automóvil Club Argentino
1. Seclantás: Double or triple shared room with a private bathroom at Hostería Finca Retiro.
2. Cachi: Hostería Automóvil Club Argentino (ACA), featuring neocolonial architecture and situated on a natural balcony overlooking the Calchaquí Valleys.
What's Included
- Experiences and workshops
- Workshop materials + ABRA Kit
- Accommodations: 6 nights / 7 days — Double or triple shared room with private bathroom at Finca Retiro, a guesthouse in Seclantás.
- Breakfast served daily
Homemade and regional lunches and dinners in Seclantás. - Ground transportation to and from the Salta airport, and to all activities on the itinerary
- Intermittent WiFi
- Personal accident insurance
Does not include
- Flight ticket
- Health insurance and/or private health plan (required)
- Lunches and/or dinners on free days or during free time
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Tips
The itinerary and activities are subject to change, usually due to weather conditions or new opportunities that arise and that we consider will enhance the experience.
