We were lucky to catch up with Marcela Castano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marcela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on grew out of a personal realization, not just about my love for textile art, but about how deeply I care for my community. I began to see textile work not only as a creative channel but as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and reflection. That’s when the idea of purpose-driven Textile Art Workshops took root. I asked myself: What do we need most in life today? In the fast pace and noise of modern life, where our natural ways of connecting and communicating are fading, I saw a need for spaces where people could express their emotions freely, without judgment, fear, or offense. These workshops became my response. They are designed to promote self-love, self-expression, and a sense of balance between mind and body, while honoring dreams, traditions, cultures, and ancestral wisdom. Creating them has been a deeply personal and transformative experience, and watching others find healing and inspiration through the process has made it more meaningful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Marcela Castaño, a Colombian textile artist whose journey in the creative arts began in 1993. Rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of my home country, I started exploring textile art early on, and later enriched my practice with a degree in industrial design. That education became a powerful tool, allowing me to tell stories through form, texture, and color. My work bridges ancestral wisdom and contemporary expression, intertwining personal experience, cultural memory, and the beauty of the natural world.

My artistic language merges tapestry, loom sculptures, and narrative texts. I see my creations as more than visual pieces. They are emotional landscapes that invite the viewer into a sensory journey, with each thread carrying intention and story. My mission is to awaken a deeper connection to self, community, and tradition through the meditative and symbolic power of textiles.

Since relocating to Nashville in 2015, I’ve been dedicated to offering transformative textile art workshops for the local community. These workshops are designed as safe, inclusive spaces where participants, from children to adults, can explore their creativity, develop healthy habits, connect with cultural heritage, and experience healing through their hands. They celebrate textile traditions while adapting them to contemporary lives and needs.

What sets my work apart is the way I integrate art, wellness, and storytelling into everything I create. Whether I’m leading a sewing circle, designing a collaborative art installation, or facilitating a women’s retreat, my work is always about connection: to self, to others, to ancestral knowledge, and to the world around us.

I’m most proud of the way my work empowers people, especially immigrants, women, and young people, to rediscover their voices, embrace their uniqueness, and experience joy and self-love through making. Through my platform and brand, I’m building a creative sanctuary that values authenticity, care, and transformation.

I want people to know that my work is more than art, it’s a movement of self-expression, healing, and cultural preservation. Whether you attend a workshop, collect a piece, or collaborate with me on a community project, you’re stepping into a world where every thread matters, every story is honored, and creativity becomes a tool for flourishing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments in my journey to my resilience began when I arrived in Nashville in 2015 with dependent visa status. I suddenly found myself in a role where I couldn’t legally work or study, which left me feeling invisible and disconnected from society. It was an incredibly challenging time. I felt like a piece of furniture in the room, present but without a voice or a role.

But instead of giving in to that isolation, I turned to the two things that have always grounded me: art and service. I started volunteering with several nonprofit organizations, offering my time and skills wherever I could. Volunteering became my bridge to belonging, it allowed me to contribute, connect, and rebuild a sense of purpose.

Little by little, I began to weave together my vision. These organizations supported me not only with encouragement but also by donating materials, offering spaces, and helping me reach participants. This grassroots support was essential in launching my textile workshops. I began facilitating them in schools, universities, and community centers. Creating spaces for art, healing, and cultural connection.

Through these workshops, I discovered that even without formal status, I could lead, create, and serve. I could be part of something bigger. That period of challenge helped me tap into a quiet strength, and it showed me that resilience isn’t about going it alone, it’s about finding ways to stay connected, resourceful, and hopeful, even when the system tells you otherwise.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

A creative way to support artists and promote a prosperous creative ecosystem is by introducing textile art to younger generations. This not only preserves traditional art forms but also offers young people a tangible, meaningful outlet for self-expression. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital distractions, hands-on creative practices like textile art can encourage mindfulness, creativity, and a deeper connection to culture and community.

I believe deeply in the power of art to heal, connect, and transform. My passion comes from the love I feel in sharing the rich traditions and techniques of textile art with new generations not only to preserve these cultural practices but to provoke creativity and confidence in young people. Through this work, I try to create welcoming spaces where imagination can flourish, heritage is celebrated, and individuals can find their voice through the reflective, expressive nature of handmade art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marcelacastano.com
• Instagram: marcelacastano.loom lovemetextile
• Facebook: marcelacastano.loom
• Youtube: marcelacastano.loom

Image Credits

1rst and second Vladimir Betancur