The Regis santos

by Thomas J. Steele

The Regis University Collection of New Mexican Santos is the largest teaching collection of santos in the United States. This book documents three hundred pieces of Spanish Colonial and contemporary devotional art that have been assembled by Father Thomas Steele over thirty years. This is the first time an entire collection of New Mexican santos has been documented for the general public. Although the book tells the stories behind the acquisition of the santos over a thirty year period, the tradition and images cover almost four hundred years of New Mexican history. The collection contains examples of the master santeros from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as well as contemporary masters like Charlie Carrillo, Felix Lopez, Max Roybal, Gustavo Victor Goler, Alcario Otero, Arlene Cisneros Sena, Frank Brito, Jimmy Trujillo and David Nabor Lucero.