Inspired by early childhood memories of his grandmother's plastic-covered sofa in their Brooklyn apartment, this installation delves into his experience as a queer Puerto Rican navigating the complexities of diasporic life. At the core of this installation lies a full-sized functional sofa, meticulously embroidered and wrapped in plastic—a symbol of both comfort and discomfort, preservation and barrier. This installation is a personal exploration of identity, memory, and belonging asking what does it mean to be Puerto Rican and not Puerto Rican enough?

Social Fabric: Stitching Legacy — Richie Lopez
Social Fabric: Stitching Legacy is a community embroidery project created in response to the Semiquincentennial in Philadelphia, countering the founding fathers myth. Participants will stitch their hopes for the future, contributing to a large-scale tapestry representing diverse voices and legacies for the next 250 years. Through learning basic stitches and engaging in conversations, participants will connect with the city’s collective aspirations. The finished piece will be displayed publicly, inviting reflection and dialogue about the legacy we leave behind.

Arrowmont Winter Pentaculum
Invited to participate in Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts’ Winter Pentaculum — a selective, invitation-only residency bringing together artists across five disciplines for a week of immersive studio work, creative exchange, and community in a self-directed, retreat-style setting.

During the residency, I explored the cultural and material language of domestic labor by working with the waffle weave structure, traditionally associated with utilitarian textiles. Through scale, repetition, and structure, the work honored the overlooked beauty and labor of women, serving as a commentary on gender and the persistent divide between “craft” and high art.

I was honored to serve as a speaker at the Handweavers Guild of America’s Careers in Textiles Symposium, a one-day virtual event spotlighting leading voices in fiber art and the evolving textile industry. Designed to inspire and inform emerging artists, recent graduates, and students, the symposium offered a dynamic platform for sharing personal experiences, career pathways, and critical perspectives on the role of textiles in contemporary art and culture.

In my session, I shared insights from my interdisciplinary practice—centered on weaving, natural dyes, and cultural storytelling—as well as my work in community-based projects and arts education. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with the next generation of textile artists and reflect on how we can build sustainable, values-driven careers rooted in tradition, experimentation, and collective growth.

As project manager of Tramando, a workshop series presented by Taller Puertorriqueño, I lead a program dedicated to empowering artists and diaspora communities through collective art-making and the preservation of cultural heritage. Tramando nurtures creative agency, sustainable practices, and a deeper connection to the rich and diverse traditions of Puerto Rican and Latino cultures.

The series consists of four thoughtfully designed modules centered on traditional textile arts. The first module combines natural dyeing and fiber spinning, followed by immersive sessions in Mayan backstrap weaving and the intricate craft of mundillo lace making—each guided by master instructors. The final module invites participants to return and co-create a public art installation shaped by community input. This culminating piece will be collaboratively designed and installed, serving as a living testament to shared cultural memory and collective creativity. This is a PEW funded project.

Commonweal Gallery, known for showcasing artists and designers whose works delve into materiality and engage critical dialogues about shared human experiences. These exhibitions have provided opportunities to connect with like-minded creatives while exploring the intersection of craft, art, and cultural narratives.

Fearless Woven Colors was created in collaboration with the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, a Puerto Rican-led organization working at the front lines of cultural preservation and community self-determination in North Philadelphia. Made by teenage artists during a series of community weaving workshops, the piece brings together strips of fabric inscribed with personal reflections, stories, and questions about home, heritage, and the shifting nature of belonging. Woven on rigid heddle looms with vibrant color and fearless intention, the panels come together to form a shared shelter: part home, part monument, part conversation.

Participated as a featured artist and designer for Target’s Más Que campaign in celebration of Latino Heritage Month. Their original designs were showcased on a range of products including mugs, garments, and stationery (journals), highlighting themes of cultural identity, heritage, and community.

Note:
The artist is currently boycotting Target in response to the company’s rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and its ongoing investment in performative, rather than substantive, forms of inclusion.

Click the link below and scroll down to read the full article.

PA Local Artist Feature —

In a feature by Spotlight PA’s PA Local, Richie López reflects on his creative journey as a self-taught textile artist and the founder of Duende. The article explores his transition from fiction writing to embroidery and weaving, and how reconnecting with his Puerto Rican roots through fiber art led to national visibility—most notably, his floral designs featured in Target's 2023 “Más Que a Month” campaign for Latino Heritage Month. Set in his Mt. Airy home studio, Richie shares how storytelling, color, and Caribbean heritage inform his work and inspire his mission to create space for cultural celebration through Duende.

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom focused on investigative and public service journalism throughout Pennsylvania. Their PA Local newsletter highlights arts, culture, and human-interest stories from across the state.