Children of the Corn Mothers

As its title implies, the Colorado-born traveling exhibit Return of the Corn Mothers has been around the mesa. And the result of photographer Todd Pierson’s five-year project documenting unsung modern women — metaphorically, the mythical Corn Mothers — of the Southwest, who’ve brought change to their communities through activism, creative...

By Susan Froyd

October 25, 2012

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As its title implies, the Colorado-born traveling exhibit Return of the Corn Mothers has been around the mesa. And the result of photographer Todd Pierson’s five-year project documenting unsung modern women — metaphorically, the mythical Corn Mothers — of the Southwest, who’ve brought change to their communities through activism, creative works and the preservation of indigenous traditions, is back. This time around, fifteen new women — potters, storytellers, educators and artists — have been added to the mix, bringing their stories and images to Metropolitan State University’s Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive, beginning today with a reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

"The interpretation of a corn mother and the ways in which the women have impacted their community, as well as all the incredible programming in this particular presentation has developed extensively beyond the original," notes CVA's Cecily Cullen.

Thirty-four women in all will be celebrated for their Corn Mother qualities; many of them will be on hand during a series of related lectures, workshops and events leading up to the CVA’s November 2 Día de los Muertos party, featuring all the usual Day of the Dead bells and whistles — sugar skulls, a processional and Aztec dancers, to name a few. First up, a panel of five Corn Mothers will discuss “Indigenous Prayer in Contemporary Society” tonight at 5 p.m. before the reception; a series of Saturday-afternoon community altar workshops in preparation for El Día begin later this month. Return of the Corn Mothers continues at the center through November 2, and admission is free; for a complete schedule of events, go to www.metrostatecva.com or call 303-294-5207.
Aug. 30-Nov. 3, 2012

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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