August 15, 2008

It is somewhat bittersweet whenever a beloved exhibition comes to an end—such is the nature of museum work—and so it is as we prepare to de-install in early September the Familia y Fe/Family and Faith exhibit in the Hispanic Heritage Wing so that the space can be renovated.  When it re-opens in June 2009, the Hispanic Heritage Wing will be even better suited to display the museum’s outstanding collection of Spanish Colonial materials and the works of today’s Hispano/Latino artists.

At this time it is fitting to acknowledge the many contributions of Familia y Fe, an award-winning core exhibit in the Hispanic Heritage Wing, over its nineteen-year history. When it opened, the first George Bush was president, the Americans with Disabilities Act did not yet exist, and the touch-screen computer in the wing was state-of-the-art technology.  Museum director Charlene Cerny and others have fascinating stories about the development of the wing and the efforts of so many people who helped make it a reality. Like so most major projects in our state museum system, the Hispanic Heritage Wing came about through public and private contributions from the State Legislature to the National Endowment for the Humanities, to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Asturias, many individuals and families, and the International Folk Art Foundation.

During the course of its long run, thousands and thousands of people have experienced this exhibit--with its superb collection of Spanish colonial materials, award-winning design by Julie Bennett, and an outstanding series of exhibits in the smaller changing gallery.  These exhibits have featured a range of themes from New Mexican Madonnas, and The Art of the Santera, Across Generations, and San Ysidro, to Taking the High Road:  Art, Family and Legacy in Cordova , NM, Personal Shrines and Home Altars, and the current exhibit, Trasteros and Trunks.

Works by talented and impressive artists, past and present, have graced the changing gallery, inspiring and delighting us all with their skill and creativity. Here are but a few members of this distinguished group: José Rafael Aragón, José Benito Ortega, José Dolores López, Celso Gallegos, Patrocina Barela, Juan Amadeo Sanchez, Jacobo Trujillo, Abad Lucero, Emilio and Senaida Romero, Marie Romero Cash, Maria Hesch, Monica Sosaya Halford, Catalina Delgado Trunk, Marion Martinez, Charles Carrillo, Ramón José López , Luis Tapia, Arthur López, and Marion Martinez. 

The Hispanic Heritage Wing will continue to be a wonderful resource for teachers, with cross-disciplinary curricula and innovative lesson plans developed by museum educators. School children learn about their own cultural traditions in New Mexico, as well as others, connecting to Mexico, and back to Spain. The rich and varied programs associated with the Hispanic Heritage Wing began in the early 1990s, with an extensive year-and-a-half-long program funded by the NEA that Barbara Mauldin, Helen Lucero, and Robin Gavin undertook to document art in the churches and bring groups from northern New Mexico’s communities to tour the Wing.

Now, we anticipate with great excitement the new opportunities that a renovated Hispanic Heritage Wing will offer, including ADA access and more space to showcase a larger portion of our growing collection and the vibrant works made by traditional artists today. The first exhibit, opening June 21, 2009, presents A Century of Masters: New Mexico’s National Heritage Fellows.  It’s no surprise that our state is so well-represented on the national level of folk artists honored for their artistic excellence and commitment to the traditional arts.   We invite you to join us in celebrating their achievements, a precious legacy for the future.