This week Voices of Taos producer Laura Martin Baseman interviews Santero Nicholas Herrera on his upcoming exhibition at the Harwood Museum of Art, 'Nicholas Herrera: El Rito Santero.'

Herrera shares how he discovered as a young boy that he liked to carve and how he taught himself to be a Santero. He was particularly inspired after seeing a photo of a bulto of La Muerte in the Denver Art Museum's collection that was made by his great uncle, José Inéz Herrera. "Right away man I was like now I know why I like to carve. I think its in my blood."

Although Herrera's own art pieces are now in famous collections around the world, his biggest task is sharing his art with young people. Creating art helped him find a creative outlet for his struggles growing up. "This show to me really is more about helping these kids out so they can realize that they can do it..." he says in the interview, "these kids can be whatever they want to be, if you're there for them."

 'Nicholas Herrera: El Rito Santero' is the artist's first solo exhibition in a museum. The show's opening reception is Friday September 20th from 6:30 pm to 8pm. The exhibit is up through June 1, 2025.

Exhibition information