This installation offers a visual tapestry of Taos’ living history, highlighting cultural, political, and historical narratives that have shaped the community across generations. Through a collection of visual archives, documentary films, and interactive displays, the project re-articulates the significance of local voices—sharing stories that reflect the resilience, activism, and traditions of Northern New Mexico.

Curated by Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte, with contributions from Grupo Sangre de Cristo and Taos Historic Walking Tours, the installation becomes a space for truth-telling, reflection, and dialogue. Visitors will experience a layered narrative that weaves together music, art, drama, and personal testimonies, amplified by the archival works of filmmakers and documentarians Dr. Beverly Singer (Santa Clara Pueblo) and Dr. Jaelyn deMaria (Albuquerque, NM).

New Mexico Visual Retrospectives is a celebration of cultural memory and an active stance against the erasure of community history. It honors the voices of those who continue to preserve traditions and advocate for social and political self-determination through storytelling, performance, and collective remembrance.

About the artists:

Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte
El Prado, NM
Founded in 2013, Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte is a community-based cultural organization where activism, education, and the arts intersect. Co-directed by Dr. Theresa “Tessa” Córdova and Dr. Kathryn Córdova, Las Pistoleras fosters intergenerational learning, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Their work uplifts the voices of local women and families, promoting organic intellectualism and protecting community rights, including the successful designation of El Prado as a Traditional Historic Community.

Grupo Sangre de Cristo
El Prado, NM
Founded in 1981 by the late Arsenio Córdova, Grupo Sangre de Cristo is dedicated to preserving the music, theater, and cultural heritage of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. For over four decades, the group has performed traditional plays, Chican@ actos, and original compositions that highlight the stories of the community. Their work continues today through performances, workshops, and collaborations that honor Arsenio’s legacy of cultural preservation and artistic activism.

Taos Historic Walking Tours
Taos, NM
Established in 1987 by Arsenio Córdova, Taos Historic Walking Tours offers immersive, guided walks through the historic heart of Taos, sharing stories passed down through generations. These tours provide a unique perspective on Taos’ history, revealing understories and personal narratives that are often absent from mainstream accounts. Today, the tours continue under the stewardship of guides trained in Arsenio’s tradition of oral history and cultural storytelling.

Dr. Beverly Singer
Santa Clara Pueblo, NM
Beverly Singer, Ph.D., is a filmmaker, visual anthropologist, and professor known for her work in Indigenous media, documentary filmmaking, and cultural storytelling. As a member of Santa Clara Pueblo, her work centers Indigenous narratives and amplifies voices from within Native communities. Through film and visual archives, Dr. Singer documents the lived experiences, ceremonies, and histories that are integral to Native cultural preservation and self-representation.

Dr. Jaelyn deMaria
Albuquerque, NM
Jaelyn deMaria, Ph.D., is a media scholar, documentarian, and educator whose work focuses on Chican@/Latinx identity, media activism, and cultural narratives. Her projects explore the intersections of media, social justice, and community storytelling, with a focus on highlighting underrepresented voices. As an active contributor to New Mexico’s academic and artistic communities, Dr. deMaria collaborates on projects that challenge dominant narratives and center lived experiences.