Alexandra Ward Fellows Accomplishments
One of the greatest pleasures of my job as Cornerstones Program Director is working with our interns. In the last two to three years we have been fortunate to have three exceptional individuals join the Cornerstones team. All three put their hearts into the work, learn by doing, are dedicated to the skills they practice, participate collaboratively, encourage our volunteers and trainees, and unstintingly contribute their skills and talents to preserving the unique heritage and culture of New Mexico. Each came into Cornerstones by first volunteering, then moved into paid internships as the first Alexandra Ward Fellows. As a result of their skills and dedication, all have advanced and earned new titles.
- Jake Barrow, Program Director
Photo by Barb Odell
Angela Francis, Lead Plasterer
Angela Francis is a master plaster/finisher. She came to us with these skills but has continued learning on the job and always holds herself to the highest standards of the craft. In my view she represents a model of the 21st-century enjarradora or adobe plasterer who relishes working in natural materials.
Stephen Calles,
Project Manager
Stephen Calles, a New Mexico native, has demonstrated his advanced skills in woodworking, carpentry, sash and door, design, drafting, welding, and other hands-on talents. Stephen is very creative in designing solutions to solve challenging preservation tasks.
Barb Odell
Isaac Logsdon,
Assistant Program Director
Isaac Logsdon came to Cornerstones with a great desire to deepen his connections to the region. From the start he embraced learning every new skill. He took on administrative responsibilities including heading up our volunteer program and educating the public about Cornerstones projects.
Agua Fria Torreón
Cornerstones completed building the Agua Fria stone torreón on July 9th. Planned years ago and started in March of this year, the solid dry-laid stone structure referencing pre-contact and historic torreóns (towers) reaches over 11 feet at its highest point. It tapers up from an eight-foot diameter base to the high point which resembles a ruin. Prickly pear cacti donated by Plants of the Southwest adorn the multi-level upper section and serve to deter climbing up the stone. Each stone of the monument is hand shaped by the master mason Alan Ash, his assistant Isaac Logsdon, and the many volunteers who participated in construction. Besides being a beautiful piece of stonework, it’s likely to be the tallest cactus planter in the world. We’ll check with the Guinness Book of World Records.
Master stone mason Alan Ash places the final stone. Photos by Barb Odell.