Traditional Pueblo Drum Carving with Tomas Herrera

In celebration of Santa Fe’s 20th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Culture, Make Santa Fe is proud to host a special hands-on workshop with Tomas Herrera, a third-generation drum maker from Cochiti Pueblo and a cultural preservationist dedicated to revitalizing traditional practices.

This four-hour experience invites participants to carve their own Pueblo-style drum body from freshly harvested aspen wood, gathered in the Pecos Mountains. Under Tomas’s expert guidance, you’ll learn time-honored techniques passed down through generations, along with insights into the spiritual and communal importance of drum making within Pueblo culture.

Tomas’s work has been showcased across the country—from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to local schools and national monuments—and his dedication to traditional hide processing techniques is part of a broader movement to sustain Indigenous knowledge and identity.

No prior experience is necessary. All materials are provided. This workshop is limited to 10 participants—register soon to be part of this cultural celebration through making.

Special Thanks to the City of Santa Fe Arts & Culture Department for sponsoring this event!