The Las Vegas Project: Contemporary Life on the Historic Santa Fe Trail In New Mexico

Crealdé introduces another project in its rich tradition of award-winning black & white documentary photography exhibitions. “The Las Vegas Project: Contemporary Life on the Historic Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico,” artistically reveals a rich and little-known region of the Southwest which was founded in 1835 by a Mexican land grant, which has over 900 buildings and five districts on the National Register of Historic Places. The exploration of this city and culture takes a fresh look at issues of land ownership, political boundaries and immigration. In fact, 85% of the Las Vegas population has Spanish and Mexican ancestry that predates the 1848 annexation of the Southwest by the United States. The project commemorates the 200- year anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail, an important 19th century wagon route that brought settlers and commerce to the Southwest, connecting the region’s Native and Spanish cultures with the American East coast. Eight Crealdé master class students, under the guidance of seasoned Swiss-American documentary photographer Peter Schreyer, captured the stories of the places and people of this unique American region in black-and-white film and digital photographs, illustrating the cultural heritage and historical roots that go back hundreds of years. Unveiled at Crealde’s Showalter Gallery in 2022, the exhibition traveled to Kennedy Hall Gallery at New Mexico Highlands University in April 2022, and will travel to Santa Fe Community College in 2024. Curated by Peter Schreyer.