Migrating to Charlotte, NC in 2001 in search of peaceful horizons, Rosa Diaz is a Salvadoran-American multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Nativa Studio. Through her practice, she serves as a vital bridge between the Queen City’s diversity and her Hispanic-Indigenous heritage. Her work is deeply dedicated to the preservation and recovery of ancestral traditions, focusing on the practice of textile dyeing using the native indigo plant, "Jiquilite" (Mayan name: Ch'oj), which means "indigo plant" the original Mayan word for Indigofera suffruticosa. This practice has been cherished for centuries. She honors Mesoamerican history by weaving indigenous dyeing methods into her practice to create a rich cultural interchange that celebrates all ancient American traditions.

For Rosa, integrating the art of indigo with hand-built ceramics is a continuous research journey into ancient methods and materials. Her current work focuses on exploring the creation of pottery pieces that utilize indigo pigment as a decorative element, driven by a fascination with recreating "Maya Blue." By studying the unique clay matrices and thermal processes used by ancient crafters, she delights in keeping these historic techniques alive, allowing modern audiences to experience the exhilarating intersection of science, art, and raw earth.

“My work is deeply connected to my roots and a family history that feels like a legend. I often think of my grandparents cultivating the magical indigo plants in their fields, and my mother, as a young girl, watching the extraction of this beautiful pigment from the heart of their land. My grandmother inspired me with her passion for textile quilts, a colorful patchwork of history embellished with floral embroideries that influence every piece I create by using native indigo in my textiles and ceramics, I turn these cherished traditions into a living legacy. Indigo historically played a significant role in ceremonial garments and rituals performed by our ancestors, reflecting deep cultural spirituality. Through my work with Maya Blue, a color deeply rooted in Mesoamerican culture, my goal is to maintain these exact techniques to forge a connection with our Native American ancestors, amplifying their voices from the past and keeping these vital practices alive for future generations.”