Apr. 6 – May 30, 2005

“Vernacular architecture” is an indigenous building style using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament, separate from academic or historical architectural styles. In Tucson, examples of vernacular architecture include houses and neighborhoods; commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings; and distinctive yard shrines and yard art. Our exhibit dealing with these unique creations coincides with the Vernacular Architecture Forum’s 25th Anniversary Conference taking place in Tucson this April.

In the Tucson area, yard shrines typically take the form of nichos, small freestanding niches containing religious statues or images and candles. A shrine may represent a petition for assistance or healing on the part of someone who lives in the house, or it may have been erected in thanksgiving for answered prayers. Not all yard art is religious in nature, however. The Tucson area is blessed with several artists who express their artistic visions with often whimsical sculptural works placed in public view.

Our exhibit will feature photographs by José Galvez and other photographers, as well as nichos and imaginative sculptures made by local residential artisans.