ARMANDO SOSA NEWS
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ARMANDO SOSA, A RENOWNED GUATEMALAN
WEAVER IN NEW JERSEY
By Arturo Santana
Nuestro Diario
New Jersey, United States
Saturday, September 27, 2025
From his childhood in Salcajá, Quetzaltenango, Armando Sosa was surrounded by weavers, as several of his relatives were dedicated to the craft. In fact, our protagonist would accompany his grandfather when the latter was working. There, surrounded by colorful threads, he knew that he too wanted to be part of the tradition.
The compatriot learned to weave in his adolescence and, shortly before reaching adulthood, migrated to the Guatemalan capital, where he found employment in a major company.
That experience would prove crucial for his future, as his job allowed him to travel to the United States several times to participate in various trade fairs. Through these trips, he visited several major cities, including Dallas, Miami, and San Diego.
Over the years, the factory closed and Armando had to find another way to earn a living, which was not easy, partly because it was the height of the internal armed conflict.
In the 1990s, the man from Quetzaltenango decided to migrate to the U.S. amidst a very difficult economic situation. His reason: he believed it would be easier to find employment there. He wasn't far wrong, as he worked cleaning floors, washing dishes, baking bread, among other jobs.
Years later, he met an artist who would change his life, because thanks to her works and books that he shared with Armando, he was inspired to return to weaving, which he had never forgotten because it was part of his culture.
" As long as I live, I will continue to weave ."
Armando Sosa • Guatemalan Weaver
As a result, the Guatemalan began making decorative textiles and gradually became popular in New Jersey. His creations and skills reached the ears of the State Arts Council, which in 2013 decided to award him the first Master Artist of Folk Arts Award, further enhancing his reputation.
Since then, Armando has continued weaving various pieces that are now exhibited in different countries around the world, from the US to Japan, and including France and England. Whether in museums, hospitals, or libraries, people can admire the Guatemalan artist's work and a piece of Guatemalan culture.
Nostalgia
Due to various circumstances, Armando has not been able to return to Guatemala, which is why he misses Holy Week and Christmas, not only for the atmosphere of those holidays, but also for not being able to be with his loved ones. His wife died in an accident in 2004, and although his children have managed to move forward, he misses hugging them, spending time with them, and with his grandchildren. God willing, he hopes to one day be able to leave the U.S. and spend time with his loved ones
Although the artist has a framing job in New Jersey, which is doing quite well, he assured Nuestro Diariothat he will never stop weaving, as he is proud of his roots and doesn't want this beautiful art to die out. He also confessed that he would love for his grandfather to be alive to see how far he has come thanks to the craft he taught him.
Message to the Guatemalans
Armando advises his fellow countrymen to take advantage of the talent God has given them. Each of us has received a gift that can be used to fulfill our dreams. Even if someone has a job different from what they want to do in life, they shouldn't let their ideas die and should cultivate their art, because art not only keeps them alive but can also inspire others not to give up.
FOR NJ ARTIST, THE FRUIT OF HIS LOOM IS SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLY BEAUTIFUL AND INTRICATE
HOPEWELL, NJ — Armando Sosa begins his morning with the rhythmic clank of his loom -- foot on the pedals, hands on the reed, and eyes glued to his design.
Sosa, 61, is a master weaver, or as the U.S. government has classified him, "an artist of exceptional ability." He spends hours at his loom, weaving intricate textiles with bright colors and traditional motifs from various cultures. "You can see a bird. There are two birds watching each other," Sosa says as he leans down during a quick break to explain the design he's creating. It's a maroon circle that encompasses two birds made of forest green and silver yarn. "Putting one design with the other, you know the colors, it always takes a long time."
ARMANDO SOSA: WEAVING DREAMS FROM GUATEMALA TO NEW JERSEY
The shirt Armando Sosa wears is woven in multicolored threads, predominantly bright blue. His sister sent it from his hometown of Salcaja in the Guatemalan Highlands. It is just like the garments once woven by his father and grandfather. In fact, 90 percent of the population of Salcaja made a living as weavers, although that is no longer true today.
“It’s sad,” says Sosa. “Weaving is hard physical work. A weaver works 10 hours to create a piece to sell. Older weavers can no longer continue because the materials are expensive and they don’t sell well enough for them to make a living. Younger people are not interested in weaving. They have better educations and become professionals in a different say.”
NJ STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS SELECTS FIRST EVER FOLK ARTS MASTER ARTIST
Award commemorates 20th anniversary of State Folk Arts Program
TRENTON, NJ — Commemorating 20 years of the Council's Folk Arts Program, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in partnership with WheatonArts, has selected Armando Sosa, Master Weaver, to be the first-ever recipient of the Folk Arts Master Artist Award.
This award honors Sosa's lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and significant contributions made to New Jersey's folk and traditional arts through community engagement.
