In this issue:
The ristras of chile verde have been tied and hung to dry as a new seasonal light is being cast. Now, farolitos, luminarias and posadas illuminate us into La Navidad.
This changing season allows us to look ahead to La Cuaresma, the Lenten Season; and build on parterships for the new year that lies ahead.
El Alba Winter Issue proudly highlights the artistic contributions of Santero – Author Ray John de Aragón who over the past four decades has expanded his artistic pallet to include paintings, wood carving, creative writing and historian. He recounts the value of lessons learned growing up among influential grandparents who were actively involved in the Penitente and Carmelita fraternities in rural New Mexico.
Artist and Playwright, Rosa María Calles, shares her story of returning to Tomé to the home of her birth. Her inspiration and love for the arts has helped forge a career that evolved to masterful painting and theatre playwright; all defining her passion for these artistic mediums.
The heartfelt rhythms of Michelle Hernández Abeyta’s account of a performing artist and songwriter carries a message for aspiring musicians to follow their dreams. Her composition, Si Tú Quisieras Amarme, is presented in this issue.
Also featured are The 2016 New Mexico Governors Awards for Excellence in the Arts. This year’s honorees include northern New Mexico Santero Artists Felix López of Española, and Nicholas Herrera of El Rito.
Once again, Pepita’s Traditional Foods-Comida Traditional, serves up a delicious, regional seasonal delicacy of Biscochitos.
The name – El Alba – refers to the first light of dawn, serves as the historical, cultural and artistic canvas for Hilos Culturales, founded in 2000 to highlight Indio-Hispano folk art traditions of the upper Río Grande region.