“La Capilla de la Sagrada Familia” in Pajarito, NM is an oil painting on linen. I have photographed and painted this old chapel in the shadow of Black Mesa many times over the years. For a long time it was in serious disrepair. Nearby is Pajarito, a small Hispanic community that originally built the small adobe chapel which served as the community’s center for many years. After the chapel was abandoned it deteriorated and was in danger of collapse. Family members and other supporters came together to restore the chapel with help from Cornerstones Community Partnerships. Cornerstones works with rural communities across New Mexico to restore locally valued historic structures, encourage traditional building practices and reinforce cultural values.

Image on top is a panorama showing the tiny chapel against the mass of the Sacred Black Mesa. Below it is an old painting showing the chapel as the center of interest. The painting is sold.