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New Mexico possesses a unique history of devotional art creation within the United States. Beginning
with the early Spanish settlers, the production of Saints was a necessity to practice Catholicism in this
new land. Workshops rose up to fulfill the needs
of new Churches and personal Chapels with
intermittent direction from Spanish religious leaders. The individuals that created these pieces did not
consider themselves artists, they produced the work because there was a demand for paintings and
statues of S
aints that were difficult to acquire in Colonial times.

Although there is very little proof that women took part in the early creation of S
aints, that changed in
the early 1900s. Female carvers from Cordova, New Mexico that followed in the tradition of their elder
family members began to emerge. These artists and others like them became known as “Santeras”, the
female counterpart to the Santeros.

The practice of making Saints is often passed down from family
member to family member. This tradition has helped to introduce the artform, and the cultural
meanings that eventually resonated with many women. Today, these Santeras are painters as well
as
carvers that have become highly influential and continue to pass down their artform to further generations.

In this exhibition, the individual Santeras of New Mexico and Colorado are represented along with their
works of art in an emphasis on the uniqu
e carving talents that equal their male counterparts. A timeline
of history and movement among these artists will explain the history, differences in styles and
contemporary expressions.

Many of these Santeras carve and paint, and are involved in other typ
es of
cultural arts of New Mexico. Several originate from generations of artists, while others have gained their
own fame and high status through their perseverance and hard work. The Santeras in this exhibition
have received respected accolades and have i
nfluenced many individuals in the cultural arts. The
devotional arts of New Mexico have been elevated to a status of international respect and recognition
due to the work of these talented artists.

Featuring female devotional artists of New Mexico and
Colorado:
Anita Romero Jones
Arlene Cisneros
-
Sena
Benita Reino López
Bernadette Pino
Catherine Robles
-
Shaw
Gloria López Córdova
Guadalupita Ortiz
Jean Anaya Moya
Krissa Maria López
Lorrie Garcia
Lydia Garcia
Marie Romero Cash
Monica Sosay
a Halford
Orlene Ortiz Córdova
Orlinda Sherwood López
Rhonda Crespin
Roxanne Shaw

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