Rosa Elena Egipciaco
Encyclopedia
Rosa Elena Egipciaco, often referred to as the 'Queen of Mundillo' is a master Mundillo
lacemaker and teacher of this Puerto Rican folk art
. In addition to being part of the long Mundillo
tradition of her hometown of Moca
, Puerto Rico
, she claims a place in a much larger, much longer tradition of Spanish and European bobbin lace
making.http://www.carts.org/artist_rosa4.html
Rosa Elena Egipciaco was born in Moca into a family steeped in lace-making, as her mother and grandmother were noted makers of lace. She recalls starting to learn mundillo when she was three or four years old. After graduating from the University of Rio Piedras, she continued to practice mundillo and co-founded the Cultural Center of Moca. In 1986, Egipciaco moved to New York and dedicated herself to teaching lace-making through a variety of programs ranging from workshops for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union to serving as a master in the New York State Council on the Arts
Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.http://www.nea.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/fellow.php?id=2003_01&type=bio
On September 19, 2003, Rosa Elena Egipciaco of New York City
was honored for her mundillo. She is one of sixteen artists to receive National Heritage Fellowship
s from the National Endowment for the Arts
. The fellowships are the country’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. The awardees, chosen their artistic excellence, authenticity, and contributions to their field, each receive a one-time award of $20,000. NY Folklore Journal
Mundillo
Mundillo is a craft of handmade bobbin lace that is cultivated and honored on the island of Puerto Rico. The term 'mundillo' means 'little world', referring to the cylindrical pillow on which the lace maker weaves intricate designs...
lacemaker and teacher of this Puerto Rican folk art
Folk art
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic....
. In addition to being part of the long Mundillo
Mundillo
Mundillo is a craft of handmade bobbin lace that is cultivated and honored on the island of Puerto Rico. The term 'mundillo' means 'little world', referring to the cylindrical pillow on which the lace maker weaves intricate designs...
tradition of her hometown of Moca
Moca
Moča is a village and municipality in the Komárno District in the Nitra Region of south-western Slovakia.-Geography:The village lies at an altitude of 110 metres and covers an area of 17.991 km².It has a population of about 1,170 people....
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, she claims a place in a much larger, much longer tradition of Spanish and European bobbin lace
Bobbin lace
Bobbin lace is a lace textile made by braiding and twisting lengths of thread, which are wound on bobbins to manage them. As the work progresses, the weaving is held in place with pins set in a lace pillow, the placement of the pins usually determined by a pattern or pricking pinned on the...
making.http://www.carts.org/artist_rosa4.html
Rosa Elena Egipciaco was born in Moca into a family steeped in lace-making, as her mother and grandmother were noted makers of lace. She recalls starting to learn mundillo when she was three or four years old. After graduating from the University of Rio Piedras, she continued to practice mundillo and co-founded the Cultural Center of Moca. In 1986, Egipciaco moved to New York and dedicated herself to teaching lace-making through a variety of programs ranging from workshops for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union to serving as a master in the New York State Council on the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
The New York State Council on the Arts is an arts council serving the U.S. state of New York. It was established in 1960 through a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature by New York State Senator MacNeil Mitchell , with backing from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and began its work in 1961...
Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.http://www.nea.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/fellow.php?id=2003_01&type=bio
On September 19, 2003, Rosa Elena Egipciaco of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
was honored for her mundillo. She is one of sixteen artists to receive National Heritage Fellowship
National Heritage Fellowship
The National Heritage Fellowship is a lifetime honor presented to master folk and traditional artists by the National Endowment for the Arts. Similar to Japan's Living National Treasure award, the Fellowship is the United States' highest honor in the folk and traditional arts...
s from the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
. The fellowships are the country’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. The awardees, chosen their artistic excellence, authenticity, and contributions to their field, each receive a one-time award of $20,000. NY Folklore Journal