Santos of the Southwest: A Hispanic Tradition of Southern Colorado & Northern New Mexico

For over 300 years, one of the oldest living art forms in the United States has been practiced by Hispanic Americans in the Southwest. This traditional art form, known as Santos, beautifully captures devotional images rooted in Catholicism, which were introduced to the region by Spanish settlers. These skilled artists also incorporated indigenous painting techniques and materials native to the land, which have been used for thousands of years. The Spanish Colonial era, particularly in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, significantly influenced the creation and veneration of devotional art in the region. The evolution of artists and techniques involved in crafting Santos in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado has led to a renaissance, where this art form breathes new life into modern Christianity with an old-world charm.

Exhibit Curated by Sean Trujillo 

Cover art by Sean Trujillo