¡Colores!; Devoted to the Saints: New Mexico's Santos, 1780–1907

KNME-TV (Television station : Albuquerque, N.M.) · 1997

Handed down form generation to generation the religious art of Santeros is a vibrant and important as it was centuries ago. Before the first English colonists set sail for Jamestowne on 1607, Spanish settlers arrived in northern New Mexico bringing their heritage and culture to this new world--traditions that still exist today. Devoted to the Saints looks closely at the history, role and inspirational value of the Santos, or little saints, carved from wood and revered through the ages. Devoted to the Saints features a stunning photographic journey through perhaps one of the finest collections of historic Santos--the private collection of Larry and Alyce Frank. With close to 400 pieces, this collection illustrates the faith and struggle of the Hispanic culture before 1900 and serves as inspiration for contemporary Santeros. The past comes to life with stories of individual Santos, such as Santa Barbara who protects over lighting storms and how San Isidro watches over the fields. Devoted to the Saints looks at the special relationships between the human world and the spiritual world of the Santos, a bond that speaks of worship and appreciation, of hope and triumph, pain and loss, and most of all, of family and love. Devoted to the Saints explores traditional iconography and methods of creating these devotional images while profiling current artists such as Felix Lopez, Marie Romero Cash and Ben Lopez. These artists discuss their work in relation to their culture, how the art form has changed, what historical work has influenced them and how they guide the next generation of saint makers--their sons and daughters.