Meet the Maker: JJ Otero

Meet JJ Otero, an Eiteljorg Museum artist-in-residence who is preparing to share his passion for jewelry making with the Circle City.

The inspo: Otero is an award-winning metalsmith, woodworker, painter and musician who says he creates with the philosophy of "this moment is perfect and there's nothing lacking."

• He worked in IT for 25 years before becoming a full-time creator.
• His career in the arts began in 2016 when life circumstances required him to move back to his Navajo reservation in New Mexico.
• Needs around the family home helped him discover his talent for wood and metal work, creating items like a workbench for his father and a cradleboard for his sister's incoming grandchild.

Zoom in: Since 1990, the Eiteljorg Museum artist-in-residence program has hosted more than 200 artists to bring native cultural arts to the public.

What he's making now: Otero is hosting meet-and-greets and workshops in Indy starting next week.

• Eiteljorg members can join him for coffee and conversation at the museum at 10am Tuesday.
• Otero will return to Eiteljorg Wednesday and Thursday for Spring Break drop-in activities from 1-3pm each day.
• He will lead a bracelet stamping workshop at 10am March 21 with tickets starting at $40, and a copper bracelet workshop for kids at 10am March 28 with tickets starting at $30.
• Open studios will be from 1-4pm March 20, March 26 and March 27. They are included with museum admission.

Check him out: On Instagram or Facebook.