7. WEAVING TO HEAL: Weaver Cynthia Alberto on Bridging Community & Preserving Textile Tradition

In this episode of The Trades Show, host Briana Ottoboni sits down with Cynthia Alberto — a weaver, multidisciplinary artist, and founder of Weaving Hand — inside the Fridman Gallery in New York City.Cynthia shares her remarkable journey from a career in computer science at Merrill Lynch to becoming a full-time artist with her work now featured at MoMA. Along the way, she opens up about how weaving became both her livelihood and her lifeline — a way to heal, build community, and preserve her Filipino heritage through textile traditions.Together, they explore:The role of weaving circles and craft communities in a disconnected worldHow immigrant roots and cultural identity are expressed through textilesThe founding of Weaving Hand and its impact on education and healingWeaving as both fine art and a deeply personal form of resilienceThe cultural and environmental significance of textiles in everyday lifeReviving traditional crafts and sustainable approaches to makingPractical advice for aspiring weavers, artisans, and creative entrepreneursWhether you’re an artisan, aspiring maker, or someone who simply values handmade work, this conversation is a powerful reminder of how craft connects us to identity, community, and the fine art world.🎙 The Trades Show is a podcast and video series about modern craftwork — a return to what makes us human: the ability to make with our hands.🧵 Where to find Cynthia Alberto:Weaving Hand’s Instagram: @weavinghandCynthia’s Instagram: @cynthiaalbertostudio⚒️ Where to find The Trades Show:Instagram: @tradesshowTikTok: @tradesshowYouTube: @tradesshowSubstack: Trade SecretsWebsite: thetradesshow.co✨ Where to find your host, Briana:Instagram: @brianaaugustinaSubstack: https://brianaaugustina.substack.com/Website: brianaaugustina.com🎬 In this episode00:00 The Importance of Community00:47 Welcome to The Trades Show01:43 Meet Cynthia Alberto: Weaver and Multidisciplinary Artist03:12 Cynthia's Journey from Computer Science to Art07:55 Transition to Weaving and Textile Design10:22 Founding Weaving Hand and Community Impact14:03 Weaving as a Form of Healing18:43 The Cultural and Environmental Significance of Textiles26:15 Reviving Traditional Crafts and Techniques34:42 Advice for Aspiring Weavers and Artists39:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts