CHAC

Santistevan's Celebrated Colorado Santero to Show for Holidays 

-- Renee Fajardo    Denver News North  Dec 4, 2009

The art of the Santero/Santera (saint-carving) is a celebration of faith, history family and tradition. Five hundred years ago when the Spanish came to the “New World” they introduced not only their customs and language but their religion.  Catholicism created
lasting change for the indigenous and immigrant populations alike.

The indigenous natives of the New World had deeply established spiritual iconography
in their culture. It was only logical to introduce Catholic images of saints (santos) to facilitate in telling stories of the saints and the Passion of Christ. 

European Catholic religious objects were often imported to New Spain (Mexico), where there was an opulence of wealth due to the country's rich silver and gold mines. By the late 1600s settlers from New Spain had begun to establish a livestock industry in the wilds of the northern territories, New Mexico and southern Colorado. They brought their religion and missionaries with them. They were not able to import the elaborate sacred art from Mexico to decorate their churches. This new land was harsh, resources were scarce and the riches they thought awaited them did not. Out of sheer desperation to feel comforted and connected the art of the Santero was born. 

Local craftsmen created their own versions of altar screens, bultos, and retablos. By the 1800s, these highly respected and devoted santeros would be responsible for spurring a new and invigorating regional art form that would hold its own against its European counterpart. From these artisans grew a vernacular of artwork that would become world famous and transcend generations. 

The Sacred Art of the Hispanic Southwest would eventually spur one of the largest and most prestigious showcases of sacred art in the world: Spanish Market. Held every July officially since 1965, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Spanish Market is the crowning jewel for artists that carries on the art forms of their ancestors.  There have only been four Colorado sacred artists juried into Spanish Market in 55 years. This is both an honor and a tribulation.

Denver native, Carlos Santistevan was the first local artist to be juried into the market in 1977. Santistevan made the difficult transition for Colorado artist.  The market has very stringent requirements, including proof of genealogy (you must prove ancestry
from New Mexico or southern Colorado), authentic iconology, and traditional materials. There is no room for deviation.

“You must understand,” said Santistevan. “That by the early 1900s southern Colorado’s need for santeros declined. The church could get sacred art that was made of plaster cheaply. So for many years the traditional sacred arts were lost in Colorado. They continued to thrive in New Mexico because it was an “art mecca”. In essence, the artisans we had in Colorado were forgotten by all except the Penitentes. Our artists did not have the rich nurturing atmosphere that they had in New Mexico, so in many ways this has made it difficult for the santeros and santeras here. We have about two dozen Colorado sacred artists and they are fine artisans who are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve thanks to Regis University and the Chicano Humanities and Art Council.”

Santistevan’s art career spans five prolific decades. His beautifully detailed sculptures, retablos and bultos grace the Smithsonian, Millicent Rogers Museum and the International Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. He was presented with the Master Life Time Achievement Award by the Spanish Colonial Society of New Mexico in 2002. His work is traditional New Mexico, but he is also known for his contemporary, whimsical pieces. His santos are simplistic and convey to the viewer the utilitarian use of the sacred object with clarity and depth. The result is a warm and inviting rendition of the sacred.

Santistevan's work can be seen this holiday season Dec 12-18, 10 am -2 pm at the Governor's Residence at Boettcher Mansion (400 E. 8th Ave). The holiday show/tour is an annual tradition. This year's theme is “Colorado Christmas 1909.” Fittingly the Denver Santero’s work is representative of the turn of the century.

“I am very excited to be part of this showcase at the Mansion,” said Santistevan. “Most people have to go all the way to New Mexico see Hispanic folk art even during the holidays. This is a great opportunity to see the influence of Hispanics and the historic value of their artistic contributions to Colorado.”

For information on the show and free tours call Karen Bozik at 720-240-8601.***