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Maya Gracia is
a Santera
(defined as a female, Spanish
Colonial-inspired artist
depicting Saints in the Contemporary New Mexico Style). Santeros have historically been men of the
Catholic Church
devoting their artistic talents to create moving works of art
for use within their parish. Over the past few centuries, Santeros
have grown to include both male and female artists, who follow a spiritual path to create beautiful,
Christian Religious Art for uses inside the Church and inside
the home. Many Santeros have experienced a
miracle in their lives that affects them deeply and takes them
down this path.
Maya Gracia is such a Santera.
Maya's
calling
to this
art form is a result of a promise she made to her Creator after
being stricken by a rare viral infection 16 years ago. This
malady left her with what was thought to be Lou Gehrig's disease. She lost all use of
her legs, 90% use of her arms and experienced a long list of
other complications. She was
bedbound for many years. She prayed that if she
was ever able to walk and dance again, she would focus on this
type of art as her sign of gratitude. With a reversal of
Lou Gehrig's disease (confounding several doctors) and only
minor neurological challenges remaining in both her arms and legs, Maya has made
a miraculous recovery. She is able to overcome any remaining
limitation or inconvenience through prayer and discipline (the word
"discipline" shares the same root as the word
"disciple"). Maya is ever-filled with gratitude
for being able to dance and produce her passionate works of art
at such an unexpectedly high level.
Maya has a background
in fine art from The Art Center and Cal Arts
(both
Fine Art Universities in Southern California) and has worked as a
Los Angeles fashion illustrator/designer. Maya's talents expand
into the healing arts, where she is a trained and certified herbologist. She has spent many years
treating people with various ailments using her education as
well as folkloric knowledge passed down from her mother and grandmother
who are of Mayan and Spanish decent.
In addition to working
as a mentor to artists, dancers and herbalists-in-training, Maya
also volunteers for Lou Gehrig's disease patients. She
helps train loved-ones and family members to better comfort the
many symptoms this disease causes. The advanced stage of
Lou Gehrig's disease impedes the patient from speaking and using
their arms/hands for simple communication. For those
stages, Maya teaches patients and family members how to use a
special computer that utilizes a an eye-guided camera program.
The patient is then able to communicate by "typing" with eye
gazes on a special monitor that mimics a keyboard.
She currently resides in
Omaha, Nebraska.
Maya includes
Spanish Classical and
Flamenco dance instruction and performance as a part of her
Christian Religious Art expression. She performs many different styles (including
Caracoles, Alegrias, Rumbas, Tangos, Bulerias, Columbianas,
Guajiras, Farrucas and Fandangos) but her specialty is featuring the biblical
or
liturgical forms of the Sevillanas. The Sevillanas is a
graceful, classic dance with origins from Seville, Spain that is
often performed at religious celebrations.
She believes it is best highlighted during Semana Santa (or Holy Week)
and Feria which takes place
throughout Spain
every Spring. Though this particular dance has countless
variations, Maya has chosen to present it in the majestic,
Classical style
of famed Spanish dance legend,
Matilde Coral.
Maya
includes Cante (singing) and Castanet playing during her
exhibitions.
Go to
Maya Gracia
Spanish Classical and
Flamenco Dance PAGE
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