In this workshop, you will learn how to create a portable oratorio—a traditional Spanish travel altar.

These textile pieces, rooted in centuries of tradition, were made to carry one’s faith while journeying far from home—through travel, war, and solitude. Their purpose was not decorative, but spiritual: to serve as sacred spaces in unfamiliar places.

Each oratorio reflects its place of origin as well as its creator, with unique designs and symbolic meanings that vary across regions.

In the workshop, you’ll explore the history behind these powerful objects and learn how to craft your own personal oratorio.

Dates + Times

Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Saturday, October 18th, 2025

Location
Zoom, access link will be sent out before class.

Cost
2-part Workshop: $150 

Class Materials

• Sewing Thread
• Needle
• Two 30×25 cm pieces of cotton fabric
• Charms, small necklaces, beads… any adornments you can gather to decorate your oratorio
• 30 cm piece of ribbon

Scholarships

There are two scholarship spots available for this class. Please email info@tatter.org to learn more

Our Teacher

Aitor Saraiba (Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 1983) lives and works in Madrid.

Aitor Saraiba is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans drawing, ceramics, textiles, painting, video, and photography. His imagery is emotionally charged and deeply personal, often rooted in autobiographical narratives. From a young age, Saraiba loved to draw and tell stories—passions that continue to inform his art today.

He holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Cuenca. His published works include El hijo del Legionario (2011), which won the Best Graphic Novel Award from IED in 2016, followed by Pajarillo (2012) and Nada más importa (2013). In later publications, such as Por el Olvido (2018) and Me encanta cuando tus garras acarician mi alma (2019)—the latter ranked among Spain’s top ten best-selling poetry books the week of its release—Saraiba began to shift from illustration to literature, emphasizing the power of the written word.

Since 2011, he has collaborated with the Centro Cerámico Talavera, producing over 50 ceramic works using the traditional Talavera style, which was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2019.

Saraiba’s ongoing exploration of form and material has led to Crisálidas, a series of textile sculptures resembling cocoons of varying sizes. These works showcase his sensitive approach to color and his skill in meticulous textile craft.

His work has been exhibited in numerous Spanish galleries, including Mad is Mad, Twin Gallery, Mutt, Galería Fúcares, and La Fresh Gallery. He has also participated in projects at institutions such as MUSAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, CA2M (Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo), and La Casa Encendida.

Currently, Saraiba is completing a PhD thesis on female psychic artists from the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is also involved in Sintonía Radiante, a research initiative exploring the intersections of art, magic, and science, as part of Matadero Madrid’s Estudios Críticos. In addition, he is finalizing production on his documentary El Círculo Mágico, which he wrote and directed.