Harwood Museum of Art hosts panel conversation on preserving Hispanic Arts and Culture in Northern New Mexico

Image of conservation in progress on a bulto of St.Thomas by Jose Rafael Aragon in the nave of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cordova. Image courtesy of Victor Goler.

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Harwood Museum of Art of The University of New Mexico hosts a distinguished panel of experts for a conversation about preserving Hispanic arts and culture.

Early Spanish and Mexican settlers produced functional and devotional artworks that continue to be an integral part of life today in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. This panel of artists, conservators, journalists, and community stewards will share recent projects aimed at preserving these vibrant traditions.

The panel will be moderated by Alicia Romero, the new curator of History at the Albuquerque Museum. Joining her will be Gustavo Victor Goler, conservator and artist specializing in devotional art; Carmella Padilla, a journalist exploring the intersection of art, culture, and history; Angelo Sandoval, generational native of Cordova and current Mayordomo of Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church; and Luis Tapia, a Chicano sculptor and a 2023 recipient of the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship. Complete biographies of each panelist are included below.

“The Harwood is honored to host this formidable panel of New Mexicans. Each brings a unique combination of personal history, professional experience, and passion for their life’s work expanding on the legacy of generations before them.” Gwendolyn Fernandez, curator of Education and Public Programs at the Harwood Museum of Art.

José Rafael Aragón, Nuestra Señora del Refugio de los Pecadores (Pescadores), c. 1840, santo – retablo painted wood, Overall: 14 15/16 x 11 5/8 in. (38 x 29.5 cm), Gift of Mabel Dodge Luhan

The panel will be held in the Arthur Bell Auditorium at the Harwood Museum of Art on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. Admission is free. $5 donations encouraged. The Museum will remain open for attendees to view the Harwood Centennial Exhibition for 30 minutes following the conclusion of the program. Tickets are available online at harwoodmuseum.org/events-calendar or in-person on the day of the event.

The Harwood Museum of Art, located at 238 Ledoux Street, “brings Taos arts to the world and world arts to Taos.” Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call (575) 758- 9826 or visit harwoodmuseum.org.

This program is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For media inquiries, contact: Gwendolyn Fernandez gfernandez1@unm.edu 575-425-1705