The Shrine to the Crossers;
For the emigrants who risk their lives crossing the desert at the border

Santuario de los Cruceros;
Por Los Emigrantes que arriesgan su vida cruzando los desiertos de la Frontera

“Buried in the litter of water bottles, jeans and backpacks that clog the washes in our region, one finds keepsakes hand-made by women, family photos, religious artifacts and letters from children; articles that are carried close to the traveler’s heart like a prayer for safe passage.  Every item recovered represents an untold story; a story lost each time someone flees and is forced to leave what is most precious to them behind.”

- the artist.

What I see every day as I walk my dogs in the desert reflects the true face of this historical migration. That face is the face of family.  One sees the venerated mother of Mexico, Guadalupe, her image on everything from bandanas to prayer cards tucked into backpacks and bibles.

Children’s back packs

The carefully embroidered cloths and hand made clothing that are part of this shrine are extremely significant yet unrecognized symbols of our nation’s changing cultural heritage. Lost forever to the proverbial sands of time unless recovered, lay countless examples of graceful family arts that reflect the heart and soul of an entire people. These items represent the living history of our region and the changing face of our country at large.

The images you see here are just some of the items that make up the Shrine.

Since it’s inception in the summer of 2004, the Shrine has grown from a corner in the artist’s studio to fill a completely separate outbuilding on the property. Hikers and samaritans now donate items they find in the desert and the shrine continues to expand.

Exquisite embroidery

If you would like to know more, email us.  We want to know what you think, how you feel, and what’s in your heart.