A Century of Masters:
The NEA National Heritage Fellows
of New Mexico

Lesson Plan

El Santa Niño del Girasol, Holy Child of the Sunflower, 1999 Charles M. Carrillo. Gift of Margot & Robert Linton, Museum of International Folk Art, DCA Santa Fe, NM Photo by Blair Clark.

Museum of International Folk Art
P.O. Box 2087
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087
(505) 476-1200, FAX (505) 476-1300
www.internationalfolkart.org

The National Heritage Fellowship in Folk and Traditional Arts awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, began in 1982 to preserve and continue folkloric and craft traditions in the United States. The fellowship covers many genres, ethnic groups and categories across the country. New Mexico is one of the states with the highest numbers of artists per capita to receive this honor. To celebrate the artists and their work this exhibition celebrates:

Artist, santero Charles M. Carrillo received his award in 2006.
Cochiti potter Helen Cordero, who is deceased, received her award in 1986.
Colcha embroiderer Frances Varos Graves, who is deceased, received her award in 1994.
Artist, woodcarver George López, who is deceased, received his award in 1982.
Artist, santero Ramón José López received his award in 1997.
Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo) storyteller Esther Martínez, who is deceased, received her award in 2006.
Musicians Roberto & Lorenzo Martínez received their award in 2003.
Straw Appliqué Artists Eliseo & Paula Rodríguez, who are deceased, received their award in 2004.
Artists and tin workers Emilio & Senaida Romero, who are deceased, received their award in 1987.
Santa Clara potter Margaret Tafoya, who is deceased, received her award in 1984.
Rio Grande Weaver Irvin Trujillo received his award in 2007.
Storyteller and singer Cleofes Vigil, who is deceased, received his award in 1984.

Their work represents a wide range of New Mexican traditions - some from before and during the Spanish Colonial period, some revived during the early twentieth century and some developed through recent innovation. These artists are largely responsible for preserving and contributing to the proliferation of each tradition while paving the way for New Mexican arts in the twenty-first century.

Artists | Vocabulary | Car & truck project |

Storyteller Project | Bibliography |