 The
Hispanic Heritage Wing showcases the museum's collection
of New Mexican Hispanic folk art from the 17th century
to the present. The collection includes not only religious
imagery (bultos and retablos), but also
furniture, tinwork, jewelry, household utensils, textiles,
tools, agricultural equipment, horse gear, silver and
architectural elements in the exhibition, Familia y Fe/Family
and Faith.
The interior courtyard features a detailed model of
the community of Santa Cruz de la Caņada providing a glimpse
of village life in the mid-1800's. Visitors are invited
to relax and savor the sounds of Hispanic New Mexico in
an audio representation, Los Tesores del Espiritu/ Treasures
of the Spirit, a delightful mix of Spanish language, music,
folktales, poetry, drama and prayers reflecting the rich
diversity of Hispanic New Mexico.
One of the great strengths of the collection
is the large number of everyday items - the material culture
of colonial New Mexico. Cultural change, adaptation to the
physical environment, technological innovation, and cultural
continuity can be studied in light of the implements made
or used by New Mexicans. 
Bultos are three-dimensional carved wooden figures.
Made primarily of cottonwood and painted with organic pigments,
were also used in much the same contexts as the retablos.
Also exclusively religious in subject matter, the bultos
range from small, easily transportable figures for use in
homes to life-size figures and death carts used for Holy
Week and feast day processions and as imagery in churches.
Retablos are paintings on wood panels,
usually painted with organic pigments on a pine panel, range
from small, pocket-sized plaques of individual saints to
full-size altar screens with multiple images intended for
use in community churches. Always religious subjects, these
paintings were used in both homes and churches throughout
the Spanish villages of New Mexico. These paintings, together
with the bultos (sculptures), comprise the majority of the
collection.
Straw and corn husks were cut into geometric and floral
forms and used to decorate wooden objects, such as crosses
and boxes. Known as paja encrustada, this technique
which simulated wood inlay, was probably introduced to New
Mexico by the Franciscans.
The LAS Internship is intended for a female student who
is completing
advanced undergraduate course work, currently enrolled in
graduate school, or who plans graduate work in art history,
American, Chicano/Latino, or Latin American studies, folklore,
anthropology or museum studies. The next application deadline
will be in 2009, more
about the LAS Intern Program»
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