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
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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
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