Organization Bio
Xol Original is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Indigenous cultural traditions through handcrafted fashion, cultural education, and economic empowerment. The organization collaborates directly with Indigenous artisans around the Americas and beyond to create one-of-a-kind wearable art, specializing in custom footwear made from sustainably sourced and reclaimed materials. Xol Original bridges traditional knowledge with contemporary design while honoring ancestral craftsmanship and strengthening community resilience.
Artist & Founder Bio
Valentino Romero is the founder and creative force behind Xol Original. Raised within a traditional lifestyle where deep relationships with the land, community, and ancestral knowledge shaped his worldview, Romero draws on this heritage to guide his work in Indigenous arts and sustainable craft. He established Xol Original out of a desire to transform reclaimed materials into meaningful, culturally rich wearable art that uplifts Indigenous artisans, preserves ancestral techniques, and fosters community empowerment. Through his vision, Romero uses style as a vehicle for cultural respect, environmental mindfulness, and artistic expression.
In Service of ARTists
Vital Spaces supports local, emerging & BIPOC artists and is inclusive of artists of all ages, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, and countries of origin. By providing affordable space, we provide venues for artists who might not otherwise know one another to come together in community and collaboration. We work to share this collaborative energy with the broader Santa Fe public through our programming.