The Easter Alfombra
... Guatemalan carpet of sawdust ties together two communities Easter Weekend, 2003

As I reflect on the creation of this year’s Easter Alfombra, I am reminded of the song by the Byrds “to every thing, turn, turn, turn - there is a season, turn, turn, turn and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Our purpose was the creation of an alfombra, an artistic carpet made from colored sawdust, flowers and other organic materials. Working on the alfombra certainly made me think of peace. But it also reminded me of an element not found in that song - “a time to have fun.” Working on an alfombra is really fun. It certainly wasn’t the weather, which was cool and misty and always threatening rain. But it was the people - who arrived throughout the day, ready to jump in or dash about and ready to share a Snickers bar or two.

The Easter alfombra is an annual event, now in its seventh year, established to show the solidarity St. Joan of Arc shares with its sister parish Tierra Nueva II in Guatemala. Throughout Guatemala, the creation of sawdust carpets is an integral part of the Lenten season. Families and friends gather to work on the intricate patterns using colored sawdust and the abundant supply of flowers available in the area. The most elaborate carpets may take 20 hours to create yet only minutes to be destroyed in a Lenten procession. The carpets are created as a sign of the participant’s faith in God and in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus.

St. Joan’s alfombra, taking half a day to create if all goes well, is a bit more humble than the elaborate Guatemalan designs. This year’s theme “Stand Up for Peace” was chosen to reflect both St. Joan’s and Tierra Neuva II’s commitment to peace in the wake of the war on Iraq. The alfombra would be created the day before Easter, ready for a procession to wind its way through it after the 11 a.m. Easter mass.

The project was coordinated and led by sister parish committee members Rick Nelson, Mindy Ahler-Olmstead and Tim and Mary Beth Leone-Getten, who were visiting Tierra Nueva II during the actual construction. Other committee members including Dannette Moore, Gabrielle Dane, Joel Papa, Judy Miller, Carol Krush, Ross and Kathryn, Richard Dodson, and Melina Guadalupe Dane-Dodson were busy throughout the process cutting templates, sifting sawdust, spraying water and shuttling supplies. About 20 volunteers arrived throughout the misty day to assist in the construction process.

The project began during Holy Week with the drawing and cutting of the alfombra templates. Tim and Mary Beth Leone-Getten chose the design of dancing figures(right) by artist Keith Haring (1958-1990). Haring was known for his lively, playful designs and believed that art is capable of engaging and enriching the spirit. The intertwined dancers were a particularly powerful image as they showed that we are all connected to each other - whether we are dancing in joy, sharing sorrow or working for peace and justice.

Rick “Señor Alfombra” Nelson and Tim drew the templates for the sister parish members to cut out during the regular Wednesday committee meeting. As the crew discussed the upcoming delegation from Guatemala (July 18-28), they craftily wielded box cutters, exacto blades and other sharp objects - and the design emerged.

The actual construction took place on the Saturday before Easter. It was started by laying a base of plain sawdust in an 8' by 10' frame. A second layer of yellow sawdust was then sifted over the top. Templates were carefully placed, and more sawdust sifted, to create the multicolored design. Creating an alfombra is like working on a puzzle - from the bottom up. Careful attention must be paid to make sure each template is placed correctly and the layers are being sifted in the right order. Every step was analyzed and reviewed against the drawing to make sure the design was being followed.

Constant watering is necessary to keep the sawdust from blowing. This becomes especially important in an atmosphere of high wind gusts and as new colors are added. In addition to the sawdust, pinto beans were used in the peace sign to provide a texture contrast and an extra layer of weight on the sawdust.

While the actual construction of the alfombra took place over a day, the planning and preparation process was occurring for much longer. Aside from choosing themes and selecting designs, the elements of the alfombra must be collected. Sawdust, the main medium, was the remnant of a floor-refinishing project that occurred last year. Mindy Ahler-Olmstead, created the colorful sawdust by mixing wood dye powder with water in a tub and then adding sawdust. Color variation was achieved by adjusting water levels and the amount of sawdust. Obtaining the desired color involves the artful blending of dye powder and persistence. At the end of the construction process, any leftover sawdust is saved and re-dyed for the next year’s project. Other elements, like white cornmeal and various beans and seeds, were included after much experimentation and some trial and error.

The alfombra tradition has its origins in Spain and is a mixture of Spanish and indigenous customs. In the Mayan culture, when important dignitaries would pass by, flowers were laid down to announce their presence. The mixing of plants with sawdust, sand and other materials into design patterns is a Moorish custom that was passed on to Spain. Later, Spain brought alfombras to Latin America. The word alfombra, which is Arabic in origin, means "carpet."

The SJA alfombra tradition includes an after 11 o'clock mass processional through the sawdust carpet in the courtyard. Anna Vagle and the musicians add a little Americana flavor with the playing of "The Saints Come Marching" as they lead the parish through the Saturday creation of our Sister Parish committee. By the time several hundred feet had trampled the alfombra another Easter was over and all that remained of the committee's work was memories and these pictures.

Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time. Jeanne can be reached at moralesj@Macalester.edu.

Read Sue Obrien's story on Easter Sunday.