Olga Reiche

Olga is a textile artist, natural dyeing expert, and cultural preservationist with nearly 40 years of experience working with Indigenous weavers in Guatemala. Her life’s work is dedicated to preserving traditional textile practices while evolving them for contemporary markets, leading her to collaborate across Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and the Canary Islands. Olga’s woven pieces—crafted on traditional backstrap looms—have earned international acclaim.At the core of Olga’s practice is her mastery of natural plant dyes, pigments, particularly indigo, and plants like bananas and tannins.Beyond her artistic work, Olga is a committed teacher who mentors artisan cooperatives, particularly around Lake Atitlán. For Olga, her craft is more than art—it’s a way of life deeply rooted in the connection between nature, culture, and community. She looks forward to welcoming you into her creative world!

The Beginning

Ojala (hope so...)

Since 1978, after the '76 earthquake in Guatemala, Olga began working with weavers in developing grassroots projects and assisting in developing cooperatives in different regions of the country. In 1984, she opened the store Ojala to help widows of many villages suffering from armed conflict.

Innovation

Natural Dyes

Due to the high production of textiles from weavers Olga began product development, store managing and self-taught natural dye techniques for vegetable fibers. Immediately, she started introducing and teaching natural dyes to weavers.

WorldWide

Community

Olga participated in the International Folk Art Market in 2010. Since, Guatemalan artisans have continually attended. Olga has participates in internationally renowned markets that seek to maintain heritage and handmade craft luxury with her own line of natural dyed and up-cycled products.

Current

Lab_Indigo

Having a long experience in Fiber Arts, community, and sustainable business projects in the artisan industry; Lab_Indigo was born with the intention to educate and continue with hand-made luxury artisan work and develop circular economy projects.