March 2001 • April 2001 • May 2001 • June 2001 • July 2001 • August 2001 • September 2001

• October 2001 • November 2001 • December 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006

MAY 2001
(Click on date for complete email)

•Threats, name calling and other forms of intimidation are not what I consider to be Christian practices. I was present at both meetings held regarding the exhibit and I saw that the protestors against Our Lady, at the first meeting, were not above committing violence in order to get their way.--Teresa M.(5/22)

•Like you, although other issues are clear and obvious, I believe the real problem is that many men can't tolerate independent, self-assured women...--Freda Elliot (5/22)

•Your strong images of La Virgen de Guadalupe has influenced a lot on my Chicana Lesbian identity.--Chary Olmedo (5/22)

•Because of my opinions held concerning the naked virgin exhibited at MOIFA, I have been banished from participating in the CHICLE listserve.--Octavio Romano (5/22)

•I can see how traditionalists might be offended, but yours would not be the first piece of religious art that did that.--Paul Vale (5/22)

•Now tell me, in what state of mind (abnormal), could you justifity degrading the most sacred woman to ever grace this planet.--Mike Gratz (5/22)

•Congrats on the decision, and just so you know, you have another supporter.--Anthony Belanger (5/22)

•It is truly a work of art. --Armando Camarena (5/22)

•Do some of us a favor, do not compare a woman's strength with your vulgarity, you do not speak for all Latin Women. You speak only from the trash you are and most likely from the Devil that speaks through you.--Maria (5/22)

•..of course, everyone is threatening to sue everyone. the saga continues....--Dorinda Moreno (5/22)

•So, right now, the Board of Regents are fighting with who has the authority to decide or not decide.--Barrio Warrior (5/22)

•I just wanted to send you a note expressing my approval of your art, and that I in no way find it pornographic, sexually oriented, vulgar, sacreligious, or offensive.  I found it to be a stimulating, interesting piece, and have returned to view it numerous times.--Dale Redd (5/22)

•....your version of our lady is a changed one,just as the Catholic church has changed,and your work is a reflection of our society.--Quijoteuno (5/22)

•It angers me the way you portray your self and your culture.--Juan Sosa (5/22)

•God gave us our bodies as a precious gift and you have belittled that gift.--Elva Buchanan (5/22)

•I don’t find anything offensive about the image you created, on the contrary I think it’s great since it provokes thought and discussion on the subject of religion.--Santiago Avila (5/22)

•...and then began to rave about blasphemy against our blessed mother and he wanted Alma's address so he could go and burn down her house. He added that Catholics would not take this shit. . --Laura M. May (5/23)

•Frank V. Ortiz, Museum of New Mexico regent, is under fire and several calls have been made for his resignation for his views and letters that he wrote regarding the controversy over the Our Lady art work.--Chicle (5/23)

•CyberArte, as curated by Tey Marianna Nunn, is a slam against the Catholic institution and is a bulldozing of traditional culture, as in the tradition of religious folk art in NM which is based on PenitenteCatholic expression.--Pedro Sedeno(5/23)

•I wish Teresa had described in more detail so sedeno could see his blind hatred through the reasoned and eyes of people who don't know his aztlannet persona.--Michael Sedeno (5/23)

•This is a request to the moderator, Teresa Marquez, who holds opinions contrary to mine, to kindly furnish me with the reason for this abrupt and unannounced termination.--Octavio Romano (5/23)

•It is great to be in America where I can form opinions and express my views without fear of repression from those who hold opposing thoughts or ideas.--Teresa M., Chicle (5/23)

•if, as you say, you are "banished" owing to your opinions, why ask for an explanation why you were "banished"?--Michael Sedeno (5/23)

•I've read Octavio's criticisms concerning the work of Alma Lopez, and I wonder where his head is. He is preaching censorship - which doesn't surprise me. --Joe Olvera, Chicle (5/23)

•I write to you to let you know how offended I am by your blasphemous treatment of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.--David Obeid (5/23)

•You are a big shame to our religion and I think you need serious help. I spit on you.--Jenny O'Grady (5/23)

•What you have done to the Mother of God is a sacrilege.--Kyrie Eleison (5/23)

•No one is attacking you as an artist or being a woman, nor your rights being violated but, rather a particular work of art that is tasteless and offensive.--Julian Sanchez (5/23)

•I have seen the picture of Our Blessed Lady in a two peice swimsuit. It is disgusting and a sacrilege.--Tony Souied (5/23)

•Sadly, this image only exploits women and definately offends. --Erika Sajben (5/23)

•E' una profanazione grave nei confronti della Vergine Maria. NON E' ARTE!--DegAng (5/23)

•Your portrayal of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not art, but a direct reflection of your feminist view.Our Lady was neither a feminist, nor independent.--Khalil Elias (5/23)

•You are disgracing the name of a beutiful person, the true Virgin Mary. --LRLynnrcl (5/23)

•I suggest you get a life rather than trying to portray those in your dirty mind as holy characters,--jane dot (5/23)

•In my opinion Guadalupe is beautiful and any image of her that is meant to be a sign of respect should not be vilified but embraced!!!--Robert Elvidge (5/23)

•I, also, am of Mexican descent. I am an Artist living in New Orleans. I think the picture of "Our Lady" is a disgrace to God and His mother.--Katherine Kelley (5/23)

•I also find it very interesting that this, the most Mexican of images, is embraced so strongly by a population that according to the Alb. Journal, finds it very difficult to admit being Mexican (ethnically).--Miguel Acosta (5/23)

•I'm glad to hear the news about the exhibit, but obviously distressed to hear you are being threatened.--Eliza Rodriguez y Gibson (5/23)

•Poor taste.  No redeeming effort.  Why?--ANTQUELADY (5/23)

•Not that it makes a difference, but may God have mercy on your soul.--Thomas J. Willke, MD (5/23)

•This is nothing but obscene blasphamy.--Ed Toner (5/23)

•If someone does not like the painting, then they may say so, but to have the painting removed is ridiculous. --Steve.Preston (5/23)

•But continue to do art that you like, either way people will hate and love you so do what you want to do.--fridachips (5/23)

•While your arguments of freedom of speech and "showing Mary in a modern sense" are good for the liberal media and schismatics among the Catholic Church, there are many, especially converts who cherish the Church for its Tradition, who find this work offensive.--Caleb Foshee (5/23)

• I just wanted to say that my heart is with you and that I support you and your work (it's beautiful).--EloisaEloisa de Leon (5/23)

•As per my views, I wish Alma Lopez, nor her fans,  no ill will as mi gente.  I just think her pseudo-Guadalupe posters are stupid and unethical.--Pedro Romero Sedeno (5/23)

•Although I'm neither Hispanic nor Catholic, I entirely support your work in both its content and quality, and its social vision. I find your expressions fascinating, and urge you to be strong and continue.--Bill Rigg (5/23)

• Just think...not too many years ago the church would have tried you...done a bit of torture to keep the sadists happy and in practice...then burned you at the stake with an audience to cheer on the flames. --Dan McCoy (5/23)

•I'm in Santa Fe, and I object to your assessment of  the Santa Fe  opposition as  "small town culture" mentality. --Pedro Romero Sedeno (5/24)

•as per the "liberation" inspired by Alma's Lady, come on, it looks like a pseudo-Guadalupe costume for the Academy Awards.--Pedro Romero Sedeno (5/24)

•Most of the outraged people admit that they have not even seen the piece, yet they say it is inmoral, unethical, so on... I believe that more Chicana/os should support Chicana art. --Raquel Solis (5/24)

•'Committee on Sensitive Materials.' Their recommendation definitely were not sensitive to the situation at hand, this was a, 'Partner in Crime,'' decision. It is only going to escalate the matter of the 'lady' to a boiling point.-- Julian Sanchez (5/24)

•I am sorry, but your depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe is just not respectful of Our Lady. --JWatson (5/24)

•I do not find your work as being sacrilegious in anyway, on the contrary, I see your work as sending out a powerful message, that which empowers the women as viewing themselves in a different perspective, in a new light.--Claudia Encinas (5/24)

•I think your depiction of Our Lady is beautiful, tasteful and contemporary, fit for the enlightened view of women that now prevails throughout the western world. She is truly a Blessed Virgin for the 21st Century.--Ida Vega (5/24)

•I happen to think that artists have the right to express themselves. Period.--Alain Chabot (5/24)

•aFTER sEEING yOUR pOINT OF vIEW aND tAKING a VerY gOOD lOOK aT yOUR wORK... i aDMIRE yOUR cOURAGE. i tHInK yOU mAKE mE pROUd TO bE a chICANA... --ALMA GARCIA (5/24)

•I think you're making bold and NECESSARY statements on how society at large perceives Latinas, Catholicism in context to Chicanos/as, and most importantly, Latinas can re examine themselves (through technology, especially) and liberate themselves from the stereo/typical roles imposed upon them by stringent sociocultural mores that affect both Latino and Angloamerican cultures...--Jerry Medrano, Assistant Curator, El Paso Museum of Art (5/24)

•...and this whole Alma Lopez collage ordeal feels like a deep cut on my veins/vains..--Barrio Warrior (5/24)

•How sad someone like you to have "God" given talent and defile as you have "Our Lady of Guadalupe". --Louise Pfau (5/24)

•I beleive that you have the right to express one self.--Bernard Garcia (5/24)

•I am glad to hear that the museum's committee has rightfully decided not to remove Alma Lopez' "Our Lady" from display over the recent hubbub. However, I find your decision to close the entire exhibit early "in the spirit of reconciliation" to be spineless and counterproductive to efforts to maintain freedom of speech.--Bill.Bordac (5/24)

•The fact that an appeal process exists should not be construed as a lack of commitment or "spine" on the part of the Committee.--Laura M. May (5/24)

•The Virgin has no owner. No religion exists that can claim exclusive ownership over her as a symbol.--Norma Gonzalez (5/24)

•It is shocking that in this day that the female body continues to be demonized.--Jessica Marten (5/24)

•I am writting to tell you that I think your work is great.--Silvia I. Gonzalez (5/24)

•I am a Chicana who is glad that the Virgen of Guadalupe is being seen in a new light. --Nicole Cruz (5/24)

•I LIKED IT!--Ernesto A Carrion Jr (5/24)

•Hey I think that you have guts to do on what you did to the Virgin Mary. --Alberto Gonzalez (5/24)

•I am very religious and think that a womens body is precious especially the virgen Mary. --Laura Ramos (5/24)

•The Catholic church needs to realize that your work is not sacreligious but a testament of your adoration for the Virgen de Guadalupe. --Jacob Moraga (5/24)

•Just in the last week i have heard from artists (in different instances) who have said that Albuquergue museums will not show work that may seem controversial and the Hispanic Cultural Center board would like to review the work before the shows are hung. If curators can't do their jobs or are not trusted, what is the point?-- Elena Baca (5/24)

•I want to be the virgen dressed in roses, showing skin,hands on my hips, legs apart, steady gaze  saying, whuut, ‘ey?-- Rocio Carlos (5/24)

•I think your work personifies feminine strength and beauty and I welcome an image of the Virgin relevant to modern times rather than the thousand-year-old, solemn images I was taught to revere.--Jetplastika (5/24)

•How can a 2 piece swim suit show the Virgin Mary as a "Strong, independent Woman?"--Sylvia Schomburg (5/24)

•My prayer for you my friend is that you will not let others re-focus your attention away from what the Lord has placed upon your heart. --Jeffrey Zumwalt (5/24)

•You have targeted a specifically Catholic icon because you know that we will not burn your house down.--John Gresser (5/25)

•I love Alma's work...the church has kept the female in bondage for thousands of years and now as the female starts to claim and take back her power the church can't stand it.--mark west (5/25)

•I can't believe so much hate is being generated over a piece of artwork.--Lizette Sanchez (5/25)

•Our divisions are hostile, and embittered, que lastima. It isn't always a Califas / Nuevo Mejico split as there is plebe in both places with both opinions.--gilbert lujan (5/25)

•pedro, puro pedo. you have no respect for ideas not your own.--Dorinda Moreno (5/25)

•La Tilma is SACRED, Alma y fans, what part of SACRED don't you understand?.--Pedro Romero Sedeno (5/25)

•pedro, you can continue to show your nalgas if you want to i could care less--Dorinda Moreno (5/25)

•Alma's idol-poster is in my community here and her defenses of her work are built on lies about my community, and it is her lies about my community that drew me into this dialogue in the first place. --Pedro Romero Sedeno (5/25)

•I love your depiction of the Guadalupe, it is beautiful--JoAnn Boscarino (5/25)

•I also believe that Alma has the right to do what she is doing.--Lizette Sanchez (5/25)

•some people are light years ahead of the others and some prefer to stay clutching on to straws. adelante mujeres!!!!!--Dorinda Moreno (5/25)

•During this whole controversy, I haven't known whether I should be laughing in public... that all this devotion to this Mexican image... by people who mostly wouldn't be caught dead identifying as Mexican.--Roberto Rodriguez, Column of the Americas (5/25)

•I was stuck by her beauty and power.--Sarah Dunckel, San Antonio artist (5/25)

•I thank you for your portrayal of Our Lady.  As a Catholic, I am grateful for the joy which it contains--Stephen A. Vaughn (5/25)

•If there is any decency left in you, it is not too late to make amends. Even Mary Magdalene was forgiven...--Maria Ana Corpuz (5/26)

•In the year 2001, some people, mainly from California, with the aid of California artist, Alma Lopez, and the administrative staff of the New Mexico Museum of International Folk Arts, tried to kill La Virgen de Guadalupe, the apparition that became sacred to the people of Mexico, just as Tonantzin, the indigenous goddess, had been sacred, and whom the Catholic Spaniards had also tried to kill, and failed.--Octavio Romano (5/26)

•Art is our contemporary work and thinking, it includes some history and the ability to be insightful and illuminating. Art can also be spiritual, inspiring, symbolic, innovative, popular and unpopular to the viewer.-- Guillermo Bejarano (5/26)

•I am writing in regards to your "Our Lady" artwork, which I think is amazing.--Angela Perri (5/26)

•In all due respect to the learned Dr. you continually overlook the fantaticism practiced by those people who feel that they are solely the receipients and patrons of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Many of us, myself included feel we have as much claim to her as do our New Mexico cousins. -- Margaret Garcia, Artist (5/26)

•about the prayer vigil, i think Now the church is taking advantage of this situation to establish and reestablish the church/members. --Leticia Lopez (5/26)

•I also find the biased opinions of male figures in the church to be just that-biased male opinions!--Heidi Logar (5/26)

•When I see our lady I feel a sense of innocence that has been lost to a society seeped in lust and crudity.--Pablo Jose Jaramillo (5/26)

•Having read a number of articles on your interpretation of the traditional Our Lady of Guadalupe, I "knew" your work was trashy, etc. Having actually now viewed your piece of art, I am using my time to share with you my response, assuming this type of feedback to be of some help to you during the now resolved crisis in Santa Fe (i.e. the decision made this past week to continue to show your work this year - giving me plenty of time now to see it in person!) --M. Murray (05/27/01)

•I think you have come up with a clever way to get noticed. -- Christopher Hall (05/27/01)

•Imagine the old men of the Catholic Church thinking they have the right to dictate anything about imagery or censorship, look at what they've done over the centuries beginning with the Spanish Inquisition, not to mention the destruction of the history of Mexico. --Randy Pesqueira (05/27/01)

• Your Virgen de Gudalupe is a beautiful art expression with a strong message about women and their right to be proud of our bodies and to do with them as we please. --Milena (05/27/01)

•I am grateful that artists like you are in this world... doing the spiritual work of Bernini and Michelangelo...--thomas impelluso (05/27/01)

•I encourage and support your artistic expression as well as all free speech issues.--William Husted (05/27/01)

•...the censorship and heavy-handed methods used to coerce compliance are abhorrent. -- Shaunna Kelley-Zavala, writer (05/27/01)

•Thanks for fighting the good fight for all of us who believe in free expression.--dan (05/27/01)

•One of the roles of the artist is to offer a new way of looking at things that we no longer see.--Daniel A. Olivas (05/27/01)

•The depiction you created in your Virgin of Guadalupe says more about you, your emotions & feelings than it does about the Lady who appeared to Juan Diego.--Vi Patmas,
Mission Viejo, California (05/27/01)

•Irrationality, or fear of breaking with tradition?--Delia Magallón (05/27/01)

•And I really can't digest an "immaculate conception."--cbayless (05/27/01)

•I am not Catholic so I am not into The Madonna, but I think that it is awful that you would belittle a person's religion, and try to justify it with such a lame excuse.--Dana Garland (05/27/01)

•You do not need to title your work "Our Lady" because it is not our lady; it is your lady. --Debra A. Rossa, A Catholic and former resident of New Mexico (05/27/01)

•If you call your rendition of the Virgin of Guadalupe art, then all I can say to you and about you is that you are one sick individual.--Un Brujito (05/27/01)

•I admire the stand you have taken for your art and for freedom of artistic expression. --Jerry Olson,
Huntington Beach (05/27/01)

•I think your painting is provocative and beautiful. makes me look at mary as a person, not an icon.--Gerald Lundy (05/27/01)

• This is not a freedom of expression issue; this is not a cultural rights issue. It is simply offensive to depict God's beautiful creations in such a way.--Marcia E Warmkessel (05/27/01)

•I wonder if some people are put off because the woman in your figure looks too casual, with her hands on her hips and one hip to the side.--John C. King (05/27/01)

•You are mocking one of our most religious figures in an effort to draw attention to yourself.--Harvey Lord (05/27/01)

•The ironic thing is that the very thing that you accuse Mary of being is her greatest strenght. Rather than being a strong woman, she chose to be humble.--Joe Melendrez,Brentwood, California (05/27/01)

• I think this is a very tasteful work of art, maybe people have a problem because a female artist created the picture and not a man; considering this world is full of double standards when it comes to male and female behavior and/or actions.--Kathy (05/27/01)

•Keep up the great work. You have my support.--Margaret Quinones (05/27/01)

•The truth is Amercia is importing the worst aspects of Europe: Religous intolerance and religious attempts of controling social life.--Antonio Picon Romero (05/27/01)

• I truly believe that art, and very often that art which breaks from tradition or rules most of all, has the power to teach, heal, connect, and potentially elevate us as individuals and as people in a way that would not otherwise be possible.--Shane Sligh, San Diego, CA (05/27/01)

•As a student of Latin American affairs and politics, I find the present controversy regarding your interpretation of the Virgin of Guadalupe quite baffling -- in the principal sense that a religious icon cannot be said to pertain undivisibly to one entity (ie. the church institution).--A. Stevenson, Pembroke College, Oxford University (05/28/01)

•A Latina at last who doesn't have to kiss anyone's ass to be proud of herself, and her own beautiful brown body.--Steven  Montaño (05/28/01)

•I have to be brutally honest....this is crap.-- Marhysa Naumann (05/28/01)

•Why try to censor a woman from an under-served community who is one of the few to reclaim her voice as an artist and to be able to question submissive images of women of color by replacing such images with an image that is more true to her own experience?  Why?  Because she and your museum are easier targets.--Leilani Chan, Artistic Director, TeAda Productions (05/28/01)

•Personally, I think it's good.--Harold Smith (05/28/01)

•True, you may want to "express" yourself and hide behind the Constitution, but I view it as sacreligous and your trying to force feed your ideas on others under the premiss of "art".-- AAngieCampbell (05/28/01)

•Look at a photograph of your great or great great grandmother or aunts......they will be dressed in the style of the period they lived.--Pat (05/28/01)

•I am offended by the attitudes of those people who rant against a work of art.--Dave Roscoe, North Bay Ontario Canada (05/28/01)

•How could you destroy a representation of  the Catholic Faith with your sham of what you call artistry??.--Sarah Kamuf, Owensboro, KY (05/28/01)

•Your efforts should be supported.--Leonard Herr (05/28/01)

•Congratulations on a great piece of art.--Mich Barnes in Canada (05/28/01)

•I am neither shocked nor appalled at the picture of the Virgin Mary as displayed on your Web site. However, you know as well as I do that it is indeed offensive to the Christian masses and you have deliberate intentions of creating controversy.--Jim from Galveston, Texas (05/28/01)

•As a Non-Catholic Christian, I find your display of the mother of Jesus in this manner offensive.--William F. Duensing (05/28/01)

•Interestingly, I received a reply this morning that stated my reply of support was "quarantined" for subsequent review before being distributed to the list.--jo young (05/28/01)

•The female body is beautiful.--Rebecca VanZoeren (05/28/01)

•Of course you have your right as far as your expression of your art work.  I also have my right of expression which is I find your work ugly, but to each his own.--Mrs Berna Heland (05/28/01)

•I am not catholic, and I have no clue what you were trying to express in your art. However I do think it is disrespectful to use any religious symbol as a means of expressing anything else.--Julio (05/28/01)

•We are not Catholic so possibly do not recognize the blasphemy that others may see in your painting. However, I do know that more people should see it, critique it, talk about it, love it, hate it, let it fire their creativity, their spirtuality and if they don't care for it, should not look at it.--Jane Bliss Nutter & David Nutter (05/28/01)

•I know this has been a tough time for you and you need to know that you are doing a great job in your work. You may not see it now (or maybe you do), but there really is a good reason for what happens to us. It not only makes us stronger, it gives us valuable tools to handle other life crisis better.--Consuelo (05/28/01)

•There isn't a single thing about this piece of work that I personally find even the least bit offensive, or blasphemous, or even questionable, and I should hope the Museum doesn't cave in to pressure that I find almost inexplicable unless the church is excessively hung up on the 'virgin' aspect of the virgin Mary, forgetting that the point is that she was born free of sin, and that the birth was a virgin birth, which implies nothing about her willingness to be nude (remember Adam and Eve? They were without sin, and happily naked). In fact, if anything I think this only highlights an excessive and unhealthy quantity of  shame on their parts.--Jarett Weintraub (05/28/01)

•Most egregious is the assumption of perversion, blasphemy, or even sexuality in the representation of the female body. --Thadd McQuade, Foolery Theater Co., Charlottesville, VA (05/28/01)

• I feel the artist is the exhibitionist and a disgrace to all Christians.--Caroline Dance (05/28/01)

•Aunque a mi  no me guste la idea de dibujar a la Virgen casi desnuda, creo qu usted tiene todo el derecho de exibirla en donde se lo permitan. --Oscar A. Mendez (05/28/01)

•Artists must be free to visualize their world.--Johnny Gunn (05/28/01)

•It is impossible to go through a meaningful life without offending someone.--Merrill Kramer, Artist/Sculptor, Hallandale, FL (05/28/01)

•In my opinion, for what it is worth, is that it is a beautiful work of art that should be appreciated for its originality and excellent quality.--Sam Newberry (05/28/01)

•been a catholic for 57 years ... still am ... love our lady.--Jane Birge (05/28/01)

•If your belief in Mary is so threatened by an image, then perhaps you'd better re-examine your so-called faith! -- Maya Hildebrand-Garcia (05/28/01)

•Someday you will know what it feels like to have some thing that means so much to you be made fun of. --bad luck (05/28/01)

•This is all about you and your 15 minutes of fame, which you may not have acquired had you done something that was less offensive in both subject matter and presentation. -- Brandy N Granier (05/28/01)

•I think that what people do not realize is that they are giving homage and respect to images which have been created by artists, and not actual representations of the Madonna, Virgin, or what have you. --Dolphina Reeves (05/28/01)

•Its just a pinup picture and not too good at that. --Vancvrwise (05/28/01)

•To disgrace her with this type of nudity is a violation of everything that God wants us to learn from her and the very essentials of our Faith. --KdjandJake (05/28/01)

•The women used here is beautiful and inspiring for Latinos.--Henry Martinez (05/28/01)

•..enjoy your creativity and seek liberating truth.--Jueanleandro Garza (05/28/01)

•All you have done is degrade the faith of millions of religious faithful!--Dr. Paul Harris, Tampa Florida (05/28/01)

•Good luck, and thank you for doing what you do...eres un gran ejemplo...animo...tu trabajo me inspra gracias.--Luis Martinez (05/28/01)

• I CAN NOT BELIEVE MY EYES READING SOME OF THESE E MAILS.--Jonathan Lucero (05/28/01)

•..your work does in NO WAY alter the image OR beauty of what she STANDS for!!--mike cogan (05/28/01)

•Your work may have triggered emotions of happiness, strength, empowerment, discomfort, anger, or shock - remember that those emotions were all ready there in the person before your work was on display and this is just how they are choosing to display this emotion, it is their emotion - healthy or not it is not for anyone to judge, it is simple an expression.--Nathalie Turmeau, Richmond, BC, Canada (05/28/01)