LAURIE ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE LA VETA MUSEUM IN SOUTHERN COLORADO

Laurie Zuckerman visited the La Veta Historical Museum in Southern Colorado to study the penitente items on display donated from the old secreted moradas in that region. The large Mother of Sorrows image itself is a popular chromolithograph from the early 20th century, and one of my most favorites, but the myriad holy cards and Victorian calling cards used as a decorative border is the first example of this framing technique that I have seen. Gives me ideas! Below, this crude painting of Jesus' crown of thorns decorates a large penitente cross used in religious processions, leaning against the wall alongside another decorate cross (shown in the bottom picture.) The collection was fascinating, despite being housed in a small and dimly-lit worn room. Showcases held a straw-appliqued wooden cross, a cross made of branches and barbwire, santos, and woven flogging implements.

LAURIE ZUCKERMAN'S PHOTOGRAPHS OF HISPANIC GRAVES IN COLORADO & NEW MEXICO

Laurie Zuckerman has been finishing up her photo documentation of Hispanic cemeteries in the Southwest in preparation for a publication on folk art graves. I have been working diligently on this series for the past six years, and since I won't be teaching this summer, I am hoping to make some final selections in editing my hundreds of photos for the book. Here are a few of my favorites that I went back to re-photograph last September in Southern Colorado. The first two pictures above is of the most unusual crucifix in all of the Southwest. It is small and crude and definitely one of a kind. The third carved sandstone Christ is another headstone in the same private cemetery east of Trinidad that my husband found to show me. The cross decorated with colored marbles is a new discovery from Cimarron, New Mexico.