Todd Pierson, master photographer, traveled the Southwest to capture these unique women in their home environment. They include world-renowned Isleta Pueblo potter Stella Teller; painter Evelyn Valdez-Martinez, who works with the Tarahumara Indians; Concha Allen, a curandera (healer) from Mexico; Rita Wallace, a famed embroidery artist; and Ami Duncan, a third-generation midwife living in Arizona's remote Gila Mountains. Pierson's portraits capture the essence of these women, who are often overlooked by today's fast-paced world.

Return of the Corn Mothers, a photo journal exhibition of Southwestern Women, premiered at The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History on October 13, 2008 to January 30, 2009.

The show is based on the Pueblo myth of the Corn Mothers, said to have sung in the essence of creation, including the sacred Kachinas. The exhibition, a 2007 Rocky Mountain Women's Institute award winner, features multi-cultural and multi-generational women from Colorado , New Mexico , Arizona , and Texas , who embody the spirit of the Southwest.

One of the most unique exhibitions to
come out of Colorado, the show's focus
is a photo exhibition of women who
have earned accolades for community
activism and creative endeavors. Each
featured woman also recounts in story
form her memories of the women who
influenced her in her life journey.

The show's opening reception
appropriately coincides with the
museum's annual Day of the Dead
opening ceremony on October 30th
at 6 p.m. This free family event will
include colorful community altars
dedicated to those who have passed
on, music by Grupo Quitiplás,
traditional food, and an opening
blessing by the Azteca storytelling,
dance, and music group Chimaltonalli.
There will also be a meet and greet with
several of the exhibition's featured Corn
Mothers, photographer Todd Pierson,
and curator Renee Fajardo.

“This show is about women from 29 to 89 who tell stories that help shape and nurture our country. They represent the circle of life and the continuation of a never-ending story about love and perseverance,” said curator Renee Fajardo.



This show is about women from 29 to 89 who tell stories that help shape and nurture our country. They represent the circle of life and the continuation of a never-ending story about love and perseverance,” said curator Renee Fajardo.

The Colorado Folk Arts Council (colofolkarts.org) funded part of the show and will help host a symposium on the exhibition on April 16 th at Metro State College in Denver from 10 am -6pm at Saint Cajetans. The show will aslo tour Jefferson County and Araphoe County schools in the Spring of 2009. 

For more information, call Renee Fajardo - 720-329-0869 - reneefaja@hotmail.com, or visit our website.