Exploring one of UNM’s most distinctive CSWR collections

New Mexico's rich history has long connected its people and communities to Latin America, Spain and Indigenous Tribal Nations. As the state's flagship university, The University of New Mexico is honoring and preserving those deep-rooted connections through the University Libraries' Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections and its internationally significant Latin American Collections.

Margie Montañez, associate professor and curator of the Latin American Collections, has been caring for and expanding these collections for the past six years, building enduring relationships to continue adding and preserving noteworthy creators, authors and artists to it over the years.

The Latin American Collections are among the University's strongest and most distinctive collections, comprising more than 300,000 monographs, over 7,000 journals in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Indigenous languages, and hundreds of archival collections. They cover topics from the humanities to the social sciences, fine arts and professional disciplines.

"Stewarding a collection like this is both a privilege and a profound responsibility," said Montañez. "Every acquisition has the potential to shape the historical record, influence future research and deepen our understanding of Latin America and the diverse communities it represents. The responsibility of directing this archive is one I take very seriously."

Among its significant strengths are the Latin American art collections, which are renowned for their deep coverage of Mexico, Brazil, Latin American art and art history, photography, colonial New Spain, graphic arts and print culture.

In addition to their vast holdings, these collections are significant because they highlight artistic excellence, as well as the social, political and cultural movements that shape the creators and their work. Some of the overarching themes found in the collections include colonial encounters and nation-building, revolutionary movements, migration, Indigenous resilience and contemporary debates about identity, memory and social justice.

All of this combined makes the collections stand out nationally.

"The art collection is an extraordinary resource for students, researchers, artists and the broader community members, because it documents some of the most innovative artistic movements, publishers and creators in Latin America," Montañez said.

"Stewarding a collection like this is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. Every acquisition has the potential to shape the historical record, influence future research and deepen our understanding of Latin America and the diverse communities it represents." -- Margie Montañez

This collection stands as a research archive, but when she can and with careful consideration, Montañez works with local galleries for exhibitions, public programs, or to help foster collaborative research. Some of the pieces have even been on display in Albuquerque and Washington, D.C., at places such as the Albuquerque Art Museum, the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the National Gallery of Art.

Two of her most recent significant additions to the Latin American arts holdings are the Yani Pecanins artists' book collection and the Derli Romero collection. Book artists work with books as their medium to offer readers a unique and creative way to engage with them. These artists create visually unique experiences for the reader, combining all aspects of a book, from the text and images to the spine and binding, to turn a book into a work of art.

Pecanins (1957-2019) is one of Mexico's most influential book artists, helping to establish book art as an accepted artistic medium by showcasing her work in handmade, experimental publications that ultimately expanded the boundaries of book art in Mexico.

Her collection, which now resides in UNM's Zimmerman Library, preserves other internationally recognized book artists' work and highlights the rich artistic exchange between Latin America and Europe and the United States.

Romero is a contemporary Mexican printmaker and book artist whose work combines oral histories, handmade paper, and printmaking to document the lived experiences of migrants traveling through Mexico, making it a powerful representation of human experience.

One of Romero's most poignant pieces is Rostros migrantes (2019), which humanizes migration by preserving the voices, profiles and even the clothing of more than 100 migrants. The work comprises handmade paper made from migrants' garments, on which Romero wrote segments of their stories, affixed to sculpted silhouettes that show viewers the dignity, resilience and individuality of each person.

"Curating this collection has been one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding experiences of my career," Montañez said. "I'm fortunate to be part of a long line of dedicated curators whose vision and hard work established this collection as one of the University's greatest strengths. My role is to build on that foundation by thoughtfully expanding the collection to reflect new scholarship, preserve voices historically overlooked, and ensure it remains relevant for future generations."

UNM's CSWR is located in the west wing of the first floor of Zimmerman Library. Unlike other archives, it does not require appointments, reflecting its commitment to making its collections readily accessible and removing barriers to research and discovery.

Hours of operation vary throughout the year, including summer and holiday schedules. Visitors are encouraged to check the Center's website for the most current hours and to learn more about its archives before their visit.