In July, 2008, I had the incredible experience of going to my first Spanish Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was introduced to it by my friend, Rey Móntez, santero and owner of Móntez Gallery of Santa Fe. Sadly, like so many easterners, I had no idea of its existence prior to Rey's introduction. Now that I have seen one, I have decided to make it my personal quest to make it known to as many people as possible.

It is outrageous to me that as U.S. citizens, many of us are not even aware of the presence of the saint-makers, or santeros/santeras of Santa Fe, and other parts of New Mexico and Colorado. As descendants of the Spanish who colonized the area in 1598, these saint-makers are still following a tradition which has been kept alive in what today is called the United States by passing the art skills on from each generation to the next. My friend, Rey Móntez has more on the topic of santeros/santeras and the work they produce on his site which you can visit by clicking here http://montezsantafe.com/history.htm

During the Market, which took place this year on the weekend of July 26th and 27th, santeros/santeras from the area brought their exquisite works of art to the Plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico for public display and sale. There was a Mass on Sunday at St. Francis Cathedral that was so moving I must have used a full box of Kleenex! There was a procession to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, by the santeros/santeras carrying their works of art which were placed on the altar during Mass. The service was celebrated by the Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan who gave a beautiful homily about sacred art and those who produce it. After Mass, there was a procession back to the Plaza where Archbishop Sheehan blessed the Market.

My brain was on overload as I attempted to take in the beauty created by each artist in his or her work displaying not only skill and mastery of the craft, but intense devotion to those whose images they represented. In a world gone mad with disturbing imagery, it amazes me that more people don't flock to the Spanish Market to view positive images which soothe the soul rather than disrupt it. How much better would the world be if everyone had a private space in his or her homes devoted to meditation and reflection on the good forces of the planet! If we all took the time to give thanks for our blessings each day, how much happier would we be at the end of that day, how much more peaceful would we be, and how much better would the lessons we pass onto our youth be if we ended each day in happiness instead of anxiety.

I must admit my own personal altar space has been in my home for quite a while. This year, at Spanish Market I had the great honor of meeting Frank Zamora, a santero from Colorado who won an award in the category of Large Retablos for his "Altar Mayor de Chimayó." My first Spanish Market purchase is his lovely Crucifico pictured above which now graces my living room altar. Since my return after this trip, my list of thanks for the days has included being introduced to Spanish Market, which I hope and pray will be a yearly event for me and my friends and family. It is a spiritual pilgrimage not to be missed.

Mary Ellen Bilisnansky-McMorrow

FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE SPANISH MARKET IN PERSON, WINTER MARKET WILL TAKE PLACE DECEMBER 12-13, 2009. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AT THE MUSEUM OF SPANISH COLONIAL ART, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO