Fun Facts:
Each October, Albuquerque hosts the world's largest international hot air balloon fiesta. You can ascend to Sandia Peak on the longest aerial tramway in North America spanning 2.7 miles. Sandia Peak at 13,378 feet above sea level offers panaoramic views of more than 11,000 square miles.
Quirky fact: Albuquerque is the only word in the English language that repeats the letter sequence "que" twice.
Destination: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the highest metropolitan city in the US. Now folks in Denver might argue this point, but when you take the total area of the 2 metropolitan areas, Albuquerque stands taller. Albuquerque was built following the traditional Spanish village pattern with a central plaza surrounded by government buildings, homes, and a church. This central plaza area dating to 1706 exists today and is known as "Old Town."
Art Form: Kei & Molly Screen-printed Textiles
Kei and Molly Textiles was begun in 2010. Located near the International District of Albuquerque, New Mexico, they
are committed to creating good jobs for immigrants and refugees in their community. Both Molly and Kei identify as immigrants. Molly is Swiss and Kei is Japanese, and each speak several languages.
Their neighborhood is one of the city's most culturally vibrant and diverse, though still steeped in poverty. Kei and Molly aim to serve as an economic engine for this area, providing work, skills, and support for those looking to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Today we hope to watch some screen-printing and buy some of the incredibly soft flour sack dish towels. They make wonderful, lightweight towels to travel with and can be used for so many things other than just dishes.
The outside of Kei & Molly Textiles is a celebration of color and cultures, both highly valued by this socially-conscious company. It is only a brief introduction to the liveliness we will experience inside.
But, wait! The parking lot is empty. We don't see lights through the window. Ah, but, of course. Like so many other companies, Kei & Molly Textiles is not producing right now as they and their staff are helping "flatten the curve". But, like so many others, they have discovered how to make face masks
using their soft towels. In fact, Kei forwarded a picture of herself and her son in dish towel masks as they ran errands.
So, in lieu of a visit to the studio, we get to be introduced to Kei and learn step-by-step how to make their own version of a face mask. (Once Kei starts talking, turn your volume up as the audio is rather quiet.)
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| K&M Face Mask Sewing Instructions |
Before we head back to the airport for our next flight, we'll drive through "Old Town" and gaze up at Sandia Peak. Then we're off on our next international trip.
But what about the many uses for Kei & Molly Dish Towels? (or Tea Towels), we'll explore that when we return to Albuquerque later in our travels. And we WILL return. In the meantime, check out some of their lovely dish towels.
Images courtesy of Kei & Molly Textiles.
