News Release
Sôr María de Jesús de Ágreda Mural in Mountainair, NM / Manzano Mountain Art Council (MMAC)
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Contact: Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services, 505-581-6922
In January of 2020 Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, with the financial support of the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions, announced a search for an artist to create a wayside exhibit that would honor Sôr María de Jesús de Ágreda. Upon completion of the work by the selected artist the wayside exhibit was to be installed at the Gran Quivira unit.The selection of the artist focused on the initial sketch capturing the image of Sôr María and the story of her importance to the Jumano Indians and other native peoples. George Salas was the artist whose sketch best captured the extraordinary story of Sôr María and her connections to the peoples of the Salinas area. A native of Albuquerque, Mr. Salas is an accomplished artist whose work expands several mediums including metal, foundry work, sculpture, drawing and painting. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Mr. Salas’ work has earned numerous awards. One of his life-size bronze sculptures honoring Veterans of the Vietnam War can be seen at the New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial in Albuquerque.
After more than 5 years since the announcement searching for an artist, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is honored to host a dedication ceremony to unveil the new wayside exhibit featuring George salaS pastel painting celebrating the extraordinary story of Sôr María. The dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 3:00PM at the Gran Quivira unit. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker and artist George salaS, a blessing and canto by Jumano Member Bill Martinez Acosta, followed by light refreshments.
But who is Sôr María? And what is her relationship with the peoples of the Salinas area?
Sôr María de Jesús de Ágreda, also known as the Lady in Blue, was born on April 2, 1602. At the age of 15, she became a Conceptionist Franciscan nun and lived at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Ágreda, Spain until her death. A series of bilocation experiences in the 1620s are said to have brought Sôr María to the American Southwest, where she introduced Jumano Indians and other tribes to Christianity. During her time in New Mexico, Sôr María reported visiting the Jumano Indians and encouraging them to visit the Spanish missions to ask that a missionary return with them to their pueblos. By 1626 reports from New Mexico were relaying stories of Native Americans arriving at Spanish missions because a ‘Lady in Blue’ had told them to go and seek out the priests. One of the places Sôr María is said to have visited on multiple occasions was the pueblo of Las Humanas, today known as Gran Quivira. To this day, Sôr María remains an important figure to the Jumanos, Tiwas, Piros and many other people around the world.
The extraordinary story of Sôr María continues. After her death in 1665 the process of her beatification started in 1673 by Pope Clemente X, who declared Sôr María “Venerable.” Today, the process of Sôr María’s canonization is still ongoing.
For questions about the dedication ceremony, please contact the park’s Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services at 505-581-6922.
Last updated: May 13, 2025