The practice of making and venerating santos (painted or sculpted images of saints) originated in Spain and was carried to territories that fell under Spanish colonial rule. New Mexican santeros (makers of santos) developed distinctive approaches that diverged from the models they found in imported oil paintings, statues, and devotional prints. The Santero tradition flourished from the mid-eighteenth to late-nineteenth centuries before falling into a period of decline. Yet it recovered and thrives today, responding to the needs of both religious devotees and art aficionados.

Artists Vicente Telles and Brandon Maldonado are forging new links in the chain of the continuing story of the people of New Mexico. Telles is firmly rooted in the Santero tradition, while Maldonado describes his work as being heavily inspired by New Mexican folk art. Yet they see their work converging on the critical question: What can and should Santero art be now?

This question is explored in the exhibition Cuentos Nuevomexicanos, on display at MOCRA March 19 – May 21, 2023. Vicente and Brandon sat down with MOCRA Director David Brinker for an interview while they were in town for the opening of the exhibition.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Cuentos Nuevomexicanos and to explore our other episodes.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 4/27/2023

Dr. Aaron Rosen reflects on an artwork that holds deep personal meaning for him, in a conversation with MOCRA Director David Brinker.

This is an Audio Extra to Episode 25: Aaron Rosen.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Aaron Rosen and to explore our other episodes.

Original release date: 3/6/2020

When MOCRA opened in 1993, many people were skeptical about a museum focusing on expressions of religion and spirituality in contemporary art. Preconceptions were firmly lodged for those coming from the perspective of art and for those coming from the perspective of faith and spirituality. By the time Founding Director Fr. Terrence Dempsey, S.J., retired from the museum on June 30, 2019, however, MOCRA had convincingly established that the religious and spiritual dimensions continue to nourish vital and varied currents in contemporary art.

MOCRA celebrated Fr. Dempsey on Nov. 10, 2019, in a program called Pursuing the Spirit in Contemporary Art: A Celebration of Terrence Dempsey, S.J. The afternoon featured a talk by author and curator Dr. Aaron Rosen, who reflected on MOCRA's significance and took stock of the present and future of the dialogue between contemporary artists and the religious and spiritual dimensions. You can see that talk and other highlights of the celebration here.

While he was in St. Louis, Rosen joined MOCRA’s new Director, David Brinker, to talk about Rosen’s scholarly and curatorial projects. In their wide-ranging conversation, they also speculated about future trajectories for MOCRA.

Be sure to listen to the Audio Extra, "Love as Strong as Death." 

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Aaron Rosen and to explore our other episodes.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 3/6/2020

How do you know if you're an artist? Many people would reflexively say they are not, since they cannot draw or paint or sculpt. But in this two-part episode, we hear from several people who have a more expansive understanding of what makes an artist. Their focus isn't on what is produced, but on the act of art-making itself, and the cultivation of an artistic methodology.

In Part 1, St. Louis-based artist, author, and educator Con Christeson interviews Federica Thiene. Thiene is an artist based in Italy and co-founder of artway of thinking, a non-profit organization with the aim of researching collective creative processes, where the artist enters actively into the process of social change. Together they explore the origins and scope of artway and what it means to work within a co-creation methodology. Listen to Part 1 of the conversation here.

Part 2 brings Christeson together with fellow St. Louis artist Tom Brady and MOCRA Assistant Director David Brinker in a conversation about the development of an artistic practice and its role in the community. They reflect on their shared their experiences with Geographica Schema, a project spearheaded by Christeson to introduce artway concepts to artists and others in St. Louis.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Con Christeson, Federica Thiene, and Tom Brady, and to explore our other episodes.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Host: Linda Kennedy Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 5/25/2017

This episode was made possible with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission.

How do you know if you're an artist? Many people would reflexively say they are not, since they cannot draw or paint or sculpt. But in this two-part episode, we hear from several people who have a more expansive understanding of what makes an artist. Their focus isn't on what is produced, but on the act of art-making itself, and the cultivation of an artistic methodology.

In Part 1, St. Louis-based artist, author, and educator Con Christeson interviews Federica Thiene. Thiene is an artist based in Italy and co-founder of artway of thinking, a non-profit organization with the aim of researching collective creative processes, where the artist enters actively into the process of social change. Together they explore the origins and scope of artway and what it means to work within a co-creation methodology.

Part 2 brings Christeson together with fellow St. Louis artist Tom Brady and MOCRA Assistant Director David Brinker in a conversation about the development of an artistic practice and its role in the community. They reflect on their shared their experiences with Geographica Schema, a project spearheaded by Christeson to introduce artway concepts to artists and others in St. Louis. Listen to Part 2 of the conversation here.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Con Christeson, Federica Thiene, and Tom Brady, and to explore our other episodes.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Host: Linda Kennedy Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 5/25/2017

This episode was made possible with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission.

Thanks to her discerning eye and generous hospitality, Martha Schneider has built a reputation as one of the foremost gallerists specializing in contemporary Latin American photography. But 30 years ago, she had no inkling where her passion for art would lead her.

She spoke with MOCRA Director Terrence Dempsey, SJ, about the origins of Schneider Gallery and how she came to represent world-renowned artists such as Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Luis González Palma, and Erika Diettes. They also talk about the highly successful collaborations between the gallery and MOCRA, including 2016's acclaimed exhibition, Erika Diettes: Sudarios.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Martha Schneider, and to explore a Listening Guide to the interview.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Host: Linda Kennedy Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 5/23/2017

This episode was made possible with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission.

Leo O’Donovan, S.J., talks about the compelling contemporary resonances he discerns in a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner, “The Flight into Egypt.”

This is an Audio Extra to Episode 22: Leo O'Donovan, S.J.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to explore a Listening Guide to the interview.

Original release date: 12/22/2016

Jesuit priest Leo O’Donovan, S.J., has held some prominent roles, including over 20 years as the president of Georgetown University. But he has also kept up a lively engagement with the world of art and art exhibitions, a fact well known to readers of the periodicals America and Commonweal.

O'Donovan spoke with MOCRA Director (and fellow Jesuit priest) Terrence Dempsey, S.J., about his wide-ranging career and his perspective on contemporary religious art.

Be sure to listen to the Audio Extra, "Henry Ossawa Tanner." 

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Leo O'Donovan, SJ, and to explore a Listening Guide to the interview.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Host: Linda Kennedy Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 12/22/2016

This episode was made possible with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission.

What impact can art have on those in training to become pastoral caregivers? Cristina Stevens shares reflections from three of her students about their experiences visiting MOCRA.

This is an Audio Extra to Episode 21: Art, Empathy, And Healing.

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Cristina Stevens and to explore our other episodes.

Original release date: 8/30/2016

Empathy is a term that surfaces in a variety of fields, including museums. MOCRA Assistant Director David Brinker sets out to explore two different angles on museums and empathy.

In Part 1, he talks with museum educator Adam Nilsen about how empathy is understood and studied, as well as the ways it is being applied in museum settings.

Part 2 features chaplain and pastoral care educator Cristina Stevens reflecting on the role art and empathy play in the training and practice of those who support the spiritual needs of healthcare patients.

Listen to Part 1 of the conversation here.

Be sure to listen to the Audio Extra, "Student Reflections." 

Visit the MOCRA Voices website to learn more about Adam Nilsen and Cristina Stevens and to explore our other episodes.

Recording Engineer and Editor: Mike Schrand Host: Linda Kennedy Theme and Incidental Music: Stephen James Neale Producer: David Brinker

Original release date: 8/30/2016; updated on 5/30/2017

This episode was made possible with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission.