Our first meeting of 2026 will be on Tuesday 27 January on Zoom only!

Myra Chang Thompson will present

The Connection Between Spanish Colonial Trade and the Role of Churro Sheep

In this presentation Myra will introduce the textile trade during the Spanish Colonial Period (1650 to 1800) which importantly involved the Churro sheep.

Spanish colonists were completely stranded from their mother country, Spain, geographically, economically, socially and, linguistically at various times during the Colonial period. It is then that a realization that their survival greatly depended on how they reacted to their situation. With many of the technologies and skills from the Old World, the colonists adapted to their surroundings and the natural environment in which they were settled. The textile “cottage Industry” played a large part in the colonists’ survival. The Churro sheep consequently were at the center of it all.

Myra was born in Northern New Mexico. Her maternal grandfather raised sheep in New Mexico. She has had a lifelong interest in fiber of all sorts. She was a member of the Stockton, CA Weavers Guild. There she met and learned from E. E. Gilmore, loom builder. Eventually she and her husband, Bill, moved to Massachusetts. She taught special education in various public schools and joined the Weavers Guild of Boston. She loved the changes of seasons but missed the longer summers.

Family events led to a return to New Mexico. Myra has been active in the Fiber 2 Finish Fiber Arts Guild of Valencia County, serving as president for 10 years. She is also a member of Las Arañas Spinners and Weavers Guild in Albuquerque for 20 years and is the current president. She’s been a member of HGA for more than 40 years. She teaches regionally and nationally (Convergence Knoxville and Wichita.). Her guild experiences have given her a unique appreciation for learning, creativity, volunteerism, team building and lifelong friendships. She maintains a studio in her home under the careful eyes of two sister cats and a loving dog. She teaches a variety of classes at Fiber Arts on Fourth in Albuquerque.

A Zoom link will be sent to all NVWG members before the meeting. If you are a visitor and would like to attend, please email programs@nvwg.org.