Ma-Pe-Wi of Zia Pueblo, New Mexico, and the Mural Paintings of the Pritzlaff Ranch

Silver, Constance

From introduction: "The original focus of the grant was the outstanding mural paintings in the bunkhouse of the Pritzlaff Ranch, located near Las Vegas, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. These works of art were created by the important Native American artist, Ma-Pe-Wi (1902-1973), from Zia Pueblo. He is also known by his "Christian" and partially Spanish name, Velino Shije Herrera. The ranch murals were painted by Ma-Pe-Wi in 1942. The bunkhouse and its connected caretaker's house are part of a complex of buildings that compose the built environment of the Pritzlaff Ranch (hereafter, the ranch). The ranch encompasses about 3200 acres, or 4 square miles, of magnificent mountain and canyon landscape and prime natural habitat in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It preserves an unimpeded view of Hermits Peak, one of the most beautiful and iconic vistas in the American West... The mural paintings by Ma-Pe-Wi likely are eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. As such, they are a bequest that may come with certain management challenges for the FWS , which rarely administers cultural property along with the natural environment. Thus, the original objectives of the grant were to undertake research that will assist the FWS with management of the Ma-Pe-Wi murals and the bunkhouse. Consequently, the original project goals were to: Research the life and work of Ma-Pe-Wi, focusing on the murals in the bunkhouse. Undertake initial studies of the building pathologies of the bunkhouse and provide a guide for further investigations, as may be required for planning. Hold a one-day meeting for the FWS to discuss the condition of the bunkhouse and mural paintings and to discuss what place the bunkhouse and murals may have in the cultural life of northern New Mexico once both are transferred into the public domain. Write a report that incorporates all of this information, with a special emphasis on the needs and concerns of the FWS. Write a nomination of the bunkhouse and mural paintings to the National Register of Historic Places. This report -- which provides the informational base for understanding Ma-Pe-Wi's mural paintings, the condition of the bunkhouse, and for planning for their future -- also has been expanded. As research progressed on the bunkhouse, it became evident that the history and built environment of the ranch and its immediate context also would need to be examined to create a more complete understanding of the context of the bunkhouse and the mural paintings." Project funding was provided in part by a 2013 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Friends of the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge (project number NM-13-027) administered by the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 35-13-51938) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Ma-Pe-Wi of Zia Pueblo, New Mexico, and the Mural Paintings of the Pritzlaff Ranch

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