Artist in Residence: JJ Otero

Join us March 16-28 for an opportunity to meet our spring Artist in Residence, JJ Otero (Navajo/Hopi). JJ is an award-winning metalsmith, woodworker, painter, musician, and artist from New Mexico who approaches all his work with one philosophy- “This moment is perfect and there’s nothing lacking.” A former IT professional of 25 years, art and music have always been part of JJ’s life. He began his art career full-time after discovering his love for woodworking when he moved back home in 2016 and created a workbench for his father and a cradleboard for his sister’s upcoming grandchild. After being encouraged by friends to enter art markets, he was accepted into the Heard Museum Art Market and the SEEDS Art Market in 2018, cementing his transition into a full-time artist. He has experimented with acrylic painting and woodworking but has shifted his focus to jewelry making over the past several years.

During JJ’s residency, stop by the museum for Spring Break drop-in art activities daily from March 18-20, say hello and watch him work on his art in-person during one of his Open Studios on March 24, 27, or 28 from 1-4 p.m., or sign up for his bracelet stamping workshop on March 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Kids will also have a chance to make their own stamped copper bracelet with JJ on March 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. Don’t miss your chance to meet such a highly skilled and accomplished artist!

Schedule:

March 17:
10-11 a.m. Members-Only Coffee & Conversation with JJ Otero
Registration for members will be available soon!

March 18:
1-3 p.m. Spring Break drop-in activities
Registration not required. Event is included with museum admission.

March 19:
1-3 p.m. Spring Break drop-in activities
Registration not required. Event is included with museum admission.

March 20:
1-4 p.m. Open Studio
Registration not required. Event is included with museum admission.

March 21:
10-12 p.m. Bracelet Stamping Workshop
1-3 p.m. Musical performance and video
Register

March 26:
1-4 p.m. Open Studio
Registration not required. Event is included with museum admission.

March 27:
1-4 p.m. Open Studio
Registration not required. Event is included with museum admission.

March 28:
10-11:30 a.m. Eiteljorg Kids Copper Bracelet Workshop
1-4 p.m. Open Studio
Register

Artist Bio: JJ Otero (Navajo/Hopi) has seen life through artistic lenses even though most of his career has been spent in the Information Technology field. In his current artistic pivot, he has taken on metalsmithing with an intense drive to be the best he’s capable of despite such a late start in the arts. His journey has trekked through a successful, award winning music career, a prolific two year excursion into acrylic painting, an intro to the Native American markets world through his beautifully crafted cradleboards, and his current obsession with jewelry making – a true artist that never understood it until the last five years!

In 2018, JJ Otero was accepted into the prestigious Heard Museum Art Market in Phoenix, AZ as well as the SEEDS Art Market and Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM. JJ’s philosophy guides all things in his life: This moment is perfect and there’s nothing lacking. With this deep abiding fire, JJ’s unique stamping and texturing styles coupled with a relentless drive to be a well-known metalsmith is making his metalwork and personality stand out while he navigates an unexpected passion discovered in his ever-growing art career.