LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR IN 2011 BEST CURATED EXHIBIT IN DENVER'S SANTA FE ARTS DISTRICT

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's "Madre Dolorosa" DOD altar installation detail 2011

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's Day of the Dead altar installation, "Madre Dolorosa" was featured in Denver's Studio 12 Gallery's 2011 Diá de los Muertos exhibition. The exhibit, hosted by owner/artist, Sean Brown, won the Best of 2011's Santa Fe Arts District Award for Best Curated Exhibition by Denver artist, Carlos Frésquez.

I was in great company in this show. My fellow guest artists were: Jerry Vigil, Rob Yancey, George Rivera, Amber Lovelace, Fonda McDonough. My altar, "Devil May Care" was shown in Studio 12's second annual Diá de los Muertos exhibition in 2010. I am looking forward to exhibiting a new altar for this year's fourth annual Diá de los Muertos exhibition at Studio 12. I've been working on it since the beginning of the year.

Studio 12 Gallery was runner-up for the Best Gallery Award for 2011, along with the winner CORE New Art Space, Vertigo Art Space, and CHAC Gallery. You can view all the 2011 nominees at the Art District on Santa Fe website.

You can find more images of my DOD altar in my Flickr portfolio.

LAURIE ZUCKERMAN'S MEMORY JUGS BOOK: Instructions on how to make a memory jug, memory jar, memoryware or memory vessel

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's MEMORY JUGS Book on CD is out in its January 2012 edition. Step-by-step illustrated instructions will guide you in creating your own memory jug. This 226-page "workshop in a book" includes hundreds of color images of antique and vintage memory jugs collected from museums, galleries, private collectors, and internet auctions. This book includes a special gallery of Laurie Zuckerman's own eclectic memory jug creations. No other book contains this depth of photos, and instructions, and the historical discussion behind this enigmatic folk art tradition, which is most commonly associated with southern African-American funeral customs, Victorian mourning practices, and outsider art. 

MEMORY JUGS Book on CD has sold to hundreds of artists and collectors throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia during its past four years of publication. It is the perfect resource for artists, craftspeople and mosaic artists. Folk art collectors and art historians will appreciate the web links to folk art dealers who sell antique and vintage memory jugs, and links to contemporary memory jug artists.

___________________________________________________

Laurie Beth Zuckerman is a nationally recognized and published altarmaker who specializes in making Victorian-style memory jugs, an indigenous form of American folk-art memorials. Laurie's memory jugs and home altars are profiled in artist Lynne Perrella's two recent books, Art Making, Collections, and Obsessions, and Art Making and Studio Spaces, both available on Amazon.com.

___________________________________________________

HOW TO ORDER LAURIE ZUCKERAN'S MEMORY JUGS BOOK:

Order the 2012 MEMORY JUGS BOOK on CD for $20, plus $2.95 for shipping and handling.

Payment through Paypal: Use the "Send Money" option to send your payment of $22.95 to lauriebethzuckerman@gmail.com by following this link: https://www.paypal.com/

Paying by personal check or money order: To request an invoice for your order, email lauriebethzuckerman@gmail.com. 


Email with questions or comments: Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

___________________________________________________

LAURIE ZUCKERMAN'S MEMORY JUGS BOOK CUSTOMER REVIEWS:

"I just wanted to thank you for the CD. I've been studying it for hours. You are a very generous artist. It is full of great information with thorough instructions that will help me develop my own Memory pieces. The photos of vintage and contemporary work are a treasure. Your pieces are spectacular. Rich design and so full of depth and meaning."

"Thank you so much for the CD I really enjoyed it and was very inspired by the examples. I found the CD full of great information, from the interesting ideas on history, to the how to section and list of traditional objects. I was mostly excited by the lovely photos, I haven't been able to find many examples of old jugs so they are great reference material for me and I liked how you categorized them. I will recommend the CD on my site to anyone interested in making a jug or wanting more information on them."

"I love love love your book!!! Thank you so much. Very inspirational and thank you for the instructions. I have not gotten started yet but am looking forward to starting soon. I can see that preplanning is a good idea. I have looked at memory jugs for years and wondered how on earth they were made. I knew it had to be pretty simple materials as they didn't have all the fancy epoxies that we have today. Your book really helped clear up the mystery. Your memory jugs are fabulous!!!"

"I got your book/CD in the mail and can't take my eyes off the screen. What a terrific job you did with this book and how generous you are to share all of those tips. I cannot WAIT to get to the store and buy the supplies and start exploring. I had no idea that there were others out there who shared my passion, my fascination with memory jugs…and more."

"Received your CD and I really loved it. Wow, what beautiful imagery and I enjoyed the history and deeper meaning of these vessels. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing not only the imagery of the Memory Jug but getting a deeper understanding of the symbolism and the creative process in regards to making them. It was very inspiring to me."


"I just got my CD from Laurie Zuckerman. It's a fabulous book that gives the history and shows all the different types of jugs, vases, bowls, that people have covered with trinkets of their lives. Laurie is a fabulous artist. Check out her altars and memory jugs. If you love folk art or Mexican art like me, you'll love her art."

"Wow. I just discovered your incredible art and ordered your CD book. I cannot WAIT to get it. I've been making mosaic structures for years, but have been frustrated with my inability to find a putty, as was used years ago in making memory jars. I hope you have the answer in your book. Can't wait to see more of your work, too!"

"I watched—read LOL your CD last night and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. It is a very unique and informative way to present the memory jugs and its relations. I can’t wait to share it with my friends. Your hard work and love for the art form shows in the presentation. It was well worth the $20."

"I love the CD!! I just got home from vacation and have piles of laundry and other unpacking to do, but…had to pop in CD…and couldn't stop!! It's very inspiring and informative. Several points you made hadn't occurred to me. It was well worth the selling price. I am sure I will refer to it over and over."

"I finally got to check out the CD. I am VERY happy with it. All the wonderful photos of different types of memory art. My favorite in the book is the one you did in memory of your father. Unbelieveably beautiful. I now can't wait to get started on my first one. Your book helped so much."



"I wanted to tell you how much I love the memory jug book. These objects have always moved me somehow and to see such an array is just unbelievably compelling. I have to admit, I love yours the best! ALL of your pieces are somehow so haunting and complex and memorable. Thanks for such a treat!"



"I am just overwhelmed by the Memory Jars CD. It is the most comprehensive and inclusive work on them that I have ever encountered. I am so grateful to have found your website, and thrilled to have ordered the CD."

"I received the CD yesterday and watched it through with great interest (avid, I should say). I am very impressed by your scholarship, your collections, and–of course–the memory jugs themselves."



"Received the CD and have only had time to skim it, but my initial reaction is (and you may quote me) "OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG! The photographs alone were enough to make me hyperventilate."

"What an amazing art form you have taught to others. As far as memory preservation, it beats scrapbooking any day!!!"

"The cd is full of all the information one needs to make these crazy folksy works of art. I bought and love it. BUY it!"

"I purchased your CD recently from ebay.....OMG I love it!!!! Can not wait to try one on my own."



"Your jugs are more authentic and thought provoking than other modern ones I have seen."

"AWESOME e-book I can't wait to make one. GREAT CD and PICS. Thanks so much!!"

"I am enjoying the CD so much. There is a wealth of information on it. Thank you!"

"Your CD is very inspiring! You have lots of great information in your CD."

"A - Z, useful source of info for memory ware and related folk art."

"I am in awe of what you create. I would like to order your CD."

"Excellent resource and thanks for all the examples pictured."

"Love the CD, would love to take your class."

"Very informative!!----Wonderful images!"

"LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!"

"This is a great buy."

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN PHOTOGRAPHS THE WALSENBURG SANTUARIO GROTTO IN SOUTHERN COLORADO ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Laurie Beth Zuckerman wishes all of you a Happy New Year! 2011 ended with a glorious journey to revisit several of my favorite shrines and sanctuaries in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, as well as discover new ones. Follow along with me in January as I share some of the highlights of my holiday travels. Today's post showcases the Santuario on Highway 160, west of Walsenburg. A fresh snowfall dusts the sandstone grotto with sugar icing. Only one other person had walked to the shrine before me. I hated to disturb the snow to get these photos, but this Virgin Mary is my favorite statue of all. I have been photographing her at this grotto for more than a dozen years. This may be the best she has ever looked.

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN RECEIVES NEW MEXICAN STRAW APPLIQUE PENITENTE CROSS

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's husband, Thomas Mathies
designed and built this New Mexican style penitente cross

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's husband, Thomas Mathies
designed and built this New Mexican style penitente cross (detail)

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's husband, Thomas Mathies has just completed his first New Mexican-style cross, in honor of Laurie's milestone birthday, December 12. I had some old photos that I had taken in 1993 at the International Museum of Folk Art in Santa Fe, where we first saw examples of colonial-era wood crosses. I had always wanted my husband to try making me one of these penitente crosses decorated with straw appliqué. Finally my wish came true and Tom was able to spend the last couple of weeks designing and constructing this sensational cross. It is a whooping 50" tall. Truly, it is bigger and better than any cross I have seen in my books or in other museums we have visited, such as the new Spanish Colonial Museum in Santa Fe. Boy do I feel lucky!! My new treasure looks fabulous in our old house.

Here are a few web resources you can follow to learn more about straw applique crosses:

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/localnews/International-Spanish-market-Passion-for-innovation

This website states: Straw appliqué developed from the desires of 16th-century Spanish priests to decorate their churches in the New World with gold items similar to the ones they brought with them from Spain. Since gold was not found in New Mexico, the inhabitants improvised and used other materials. They discovered that local grasses, when dried, almost looked something like gold. "It was called the poor man's gold," Donna Pedace, executive director of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, said. "It was the closest approximation to gold that they could come up with." The process involves splitting and flattening the straw and removing the inside to get very thin, golden-colored pieces. The tiny pieces are affixed to pieces of wood or metal in geometric or figurative designs. The most common items are crosses, frames and boxes.

More about the history of straw applique at this site: http://strawapplique.com/history-of-straw-applique/

"Straw appliqué–an art form practiced around the world–is believed to have originated as an art form practiced by peasants who desired marquetry, a form of decorating wooden items, typically with other wood, ivory or gold. Because of it’s visual similarity to marquetry, or inlay, straw appliqué soon was coined with the term “poor man’s gold.” Passed from  the Moors to the Spanish as early as 700AD, and then practiced as a religious art form, it was brought to the New World and into what is present day New Mexico, where it flourished as an art form in the 1700’s and 1800’s, practiced by Spanish and Natives alike. At the end of the 1800’s, however, it was considered a lost art form."

To see examples of contemporary straw applique artists from New Mexico, log onto: http://newmexicocreates.org/category-26/New-Mexico-Artisan-Work/Spanish-Colonial-Crafts?filter%5Bcategory%5D=145

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOS OF GUADALUPE FROM CHIMAYO AND TAOS

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Guadalupe statue

in the courtyard outside El Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Guadalupe stained glass window
in the Guadalupe Church in Taos, New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Guadalupe stained glass window
in the Guadalupe Church in Taos, New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a folk art Guadalupe mosaic

in the prayer room inside El Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Guadalupe painting

in the Guadalupe Church in Taos, New Mexico

In honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe's feast day, today, December 12, Laurie Beth Zuckerman is posting these diverse Virgin of Guadalupe images from New Mexico. December 12 is also my birthday, and I am always so honored to share my birthday with the Guadalupe, although she is a lot older than me. She appeared in 1531, and I didn't appear until 1951!! And she is so much more famous and well-clothed.

The stained glass window and the brown and white painting are both from the Guadalupe church in Taos, while the other two images are from the historic pilgrimage site of El Santuario de Chimayo, north of Santa Fe, along the High Road leading to Taos.

This is Day 12 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by Rebecca Brooks. To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

To read more about the world famous El Santuario: http://www.elsantuariodechimayo.us/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S MADRE DOLOROSA AT SANTUARIO DE ATOTONILCO, MEXICO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of life-size Madre Dolorosa
in Santuario de Atotonilco, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of life-size Madre Dolorosa
at the left of main altar in the  Santuario de Atotonilco, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Santuario de Atotonilco, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman shares her photos of the most sorrowful and powerful of Madre Dolorosa statues in the Santuario de Atotonilco, in the countryside outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This historic church is exquisite in every single way, and ranks as my all time favorite church in colonial Mexico.

This is Day 11 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by Rebecca Brooks. To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF ROSARIO MADONNA IN ATOTONILCO CHURCH, MEXICO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a blue-robed Madonna and Child
in the Atotonilco Church, outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a blue-robed Madonna and Child
in the Atotonilco Church, outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a blue-robed Madonna and Child
in the Atotonilco Church, outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a blue-robed Madonna and Child
in the Atotonilco Church, outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

A few years ago, Laurie Beth Zuckerman visited San Miguel de Allende and photographed the El Santuario de Atotonilco church near the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. At the time I was not entralled with this Madonna statue, but I thought I would share her this week, as her altar is simply glorious and this famous penitente church is so holy. It is known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, and was begun in 1740.

To read more about Atotonilco's church, log onto this website: http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-allende.com/atotonilco.html

This post is my Day 10 entry to "A Virgin a Day" hosted by Rebecca Brooks' at her blogsite. To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF MADONNA IN CHURCH IN CHAMA, COLORADO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photograph of Madonna, Chama, Colorado

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photograph of Madonna at church altar, Chama, Colorado

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photograph of old Catholic church, Chama, Co

Laurie Beth Zuckerman photographed this wonderful old Catholic church in the town of Chama, Colorado. This sweet and very simple altar contains this lovely Madonna. No telling how old she is. Her condition is perfect. I love her blue robe against the turquoise blue wall. I love turquoise blue walls!!!

This is Day 9 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by Rebecca Brooks. To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF MADONNA'S HANDS IN SAN MIGUEL, MEXICO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a life-size Madonna in San Miguel de Allende

What could I possibly say that would add to this image?!

Please enjoy Day 8 of "A Virgin a Day." To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF SORROWFUL MADONNA AT RINCONADA CEMETERY NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of a Madonna in

Rinconada cemetery, Northern New Mexico near Taos

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of the Madonna
and Jesus in the Rinconada cemetery 

Laurie Beth Zuckerman photographed this roadside shrine and cemetery near Taos several years ago. I have never seen such a majestic backdrop to a simple Camposanto cemetery.

This is my Day 7 entry for "A Virgin a Day." To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF MADONNA AT VIEJO SAN ACACIO CHURCH, CO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonna at the
Viejo San Acacio Church in Southern Colorado

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonnas in the

window of the adobe Viejo San Acacio Church 

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonna and Child
stands by the altar of the Viejo San Acacio Mission

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of the altar reredo screen
painted by Marie Romero Cash at the Viejo San Acacio Mission

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of the Viejo San Acacio Mission, Colorado

Laurie Beth Zuckerman photographed a touching image of the Madonna and Child in the window of the old church in San Acacio, is the oldest adobe mission church in Southern Colorado, built in the early 1860s. It appears that each of the religious window designs was a gift from members of the church community. Inside the church has been well-restored and contains a beautiful statue of the Madonna and Child. The reredo altar screen was painted by New Mexican artist, Marie Romero Cash. It is in the style of the reredos seen in so many of the famous mission churches in Northern New Mexico. To read more about Marie Romero Cash, click on this website: http://sacredartpilgrim.com/collection/view/47

This is my combined Day 5 and 6 entry for "A Virgin a Day." To witness all the other wonderful contributions by artists around the country, log onto Rebecca Brooks' site: http://www.corazon.typepad.com/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S MOTHER OF SORROWS ALTAR TO BLANCHE ZUCKERMAN

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's Mother of Sorrows altar to her mother, Blanche (at right)

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's Mother of Sorrows altar to her mother, Blanche

Laurie Beth Zuckerman home ancestor altar to her mother Blanche Kleid Zuckerman began in 2001 just weeks after Blanche's death from ovarian cancer. Today would be my mother's 89th birthday had she survived. A special birthday wish to you, Mom!! Can't express how much I miss you and how much you have inspired depth in my altarmaking over these past ten years.

These altar photos were taken in my home just before this Mother of Sorrows altar was exhibited in my 2009 solo retrospective at the Loveland Museum/Gallery in Northern Colorado.

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTO OF MADONNA STATUE AT SANTUARIO DE CHIMAYO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's Madonna photo from the world famous Sanctuario de Chimayo 

Laurie Beth Zuckerman photographs Madonnas and Christs in every church and sanctuary she visits in the Southwest and Latin America. This beautiful Madonna statue is still one of my most favorite images I have found on my travels to document spirituality. This is today's pick for Day 4 of "A Virgin a Day" hosted by artist, Rebecca Brooks at: http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/

El Santuario de Chimayo is known locally as the "Lourdes of America" lures over 300,000 people to visit every year. The Prayer Room, which is located in the sacristy of the church (next to El Posito, the "sacred sand pit"), is filled with discarded crutches, braces, and scary, handmade shrines.

To view more of my earlier spiritual photos from New Mexico, click on:

http://lauriezuckerman.blogspot.com/2011/01/laurie-zuckermans-spiritual-photos-from.html

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOGRAPHS MADONNA AT SANCTUARIO DE CHIMAYO, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonna
at the Sanctuario de Chimayo, Northern New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonna

at the Sanctuario de Chimayo, Northern New Mexico

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of Madonna

in the window of the Sanctuario de Chimayo

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's has photographed the famous Sanctuario de Chimayo many times over the years since the early 1990s. Hopefully this life-size bust of the Madonna is still resident to the chapel. She's a true beauty!! She is my pick for Day 3 of "A Virgin a Day" a collective of artists impressions of the Madonna, located at the following website for the first 12 days of December: http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/

El Santuario de Chimayo is known locally as the "Lourdes of America" lures over 300,000 people to visit every year. The Prayer Room, which is located in the sacristy of the church (next to El Posito, the "sacred sand pit"), is filled with discarded crutches, braces, and scary, handmade shrines.

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOGRAPHS MADONNA AT ROADSIDE WALSENBURG SANCTUARIO, SOUTHERN COLORADO

Laurie Beth Zuckerman photographs a long-standing Madonna
at the Walsenburg Sanctuario in Southern Colorado.

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's photo of the Virgin Mary is always changing every time I visit her. This picture is before the big cleanup at the grotto. She is my pick for Day 2 of "A Virgin a Day" located at the following website:

http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOGRAPHS MADONNA FROM HER HOME IN FORT COLLINS

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's concrete garden Madonna

Laurie Beth Zuckerman collected this concrete Madonna years ago at a flea market in Fort Collins. The statue apparently came out of Santa Fe yard and has a lovely "chippy" patina. She is the guardian of my turtle pond. This Madonna is my photo pick for "Day 1: A Virgin a Day" located at the following website:

http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/

LAURIE ZUCKERMAN'S ALTAR INSTALLATION AT DENVER'S STUDIO 12 GALLERY'S DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION: October-November

Laurie Beth Zuckerman created a new Día de los Muertos of the Dead altar installation at the Studio 12 Gallery in Denver's Santa Fe Arts District for this October/November. I was in great company, too!! Santeros Jerry Vigil and Rob Yancey, Carlos Fresquez, George Rivera, and other invited guest artists headlined this juried competition. Last year I created another altar for Studio 12 Gallery's annual show. What a great gallery. Very hip! Thanks to artist/owner, Sean Brown.

Entitled "Madre Dolorosa," my black Victorian-style altar contains old mourning paraphenalia, photo tintypes, and plenty of black Oaxacan pottery skulls and angels from San Bartolo de Coyotepec. I also had photography from Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations for sale at the gallery.

Click on http://BLOG.STUDIO12GALLERY.COM/ Studio 12 Gallery's blog to see what they posted about my altar: "We also invited noted installation artist, Laurie Zuckerman to create a one-of-a-kind piece for the gallery. Laurie is a true collector and painstakingly constructed a wonderfully elaborate altar of found objects in the gallery. If you missed the piece she created last year, you won't want to miss this one she created this year. You can also see her whole room installation at the Longmont Museum."