Artisans of Mancos has announced its newest member, Touria Berrada.

Berrada will be introduced to the Mancos community with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23, during Mancos Balloon Festival. Founded in 2003, Artisans of Mancos is an art cooperative and is located on the corner of Main and Grand Avenue in downtown Mancos.

Berrada, who has lived in Africa, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona and New Mexico, now resides in Cortez, where she lives with her daughter and works mainly in construction.

Berrada creates realistic felted animals, wood animals that create a story on a wooden landscape and stone critters.

“I enjoy working in wool for its eco-friendly, sustainable, nontoxic, qualities; and the wood I use in both the toys and paintings is from re-purposed scrap pieces,” Berrada said in a news release.

The 12th annual Mancos Balloon and Arts Festival takes place Sept. 22-24. The arts festival will be on Sept. 23. Galleries will open their doors, and there will be food vendors and artists in town. The street will be closed down and carriage rides will be offered, along with a train ride for children.