The Bright Edges of the World: Willa Cather and Her Archbishop with Garrett Peck

Tuesday, August 18, 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time

Explore the history and spirit of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in this evening focused on the Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Willa Cather and her celebrated work Death Comes for the Archbishop. Join author Garrett Peck and historian-curator Nicolasa Chávez for a discussion of The Bright Edges of the World and the culture and influence of the American Southwest.

In this unique work of history, biography, and travelogue, Garrett Peck brings to life the author Willa Cather and early settlements in the current-day American Southwest, shedding light on its mix of Anglo, Spanish, and native cultures. Between 1912 and 1926, Cather visited the region six times. From these journeys came some of her greatest works of literature, most notably, Death Comes for the Archbishop which Cather called her “best book.” Join Peck and moderator Nicolasa Chávez for an exploration of the novel and its characters including such significant figures in New Mexican history as Archbishop Lamy, Kit Carson, and Padre Antonio José Martínez. The book highlights as well the complexity of the Pueblo Indian and Navajo (Diné) faiths. Based on Cather's letters, postcards, articles, and interviews, The Bright Edges of the World also shows how integral travel was to her writing process and literary output. Join us for this book talk at the intersection of American culture, history, literature, and travel.

Garrett Peck is an independent historian and tour guide in Santa Fe specializing in adventure travel and historic and cultural interpretation. He leads the Willa Cather Santa Fe Tour, teaches stargazing, and leads many other experiences around the Land of Enchantment. Peck has authored nine books about American history. In 2025 he co-led an American Ancestors-American Inspiration series Heritage Tour of New Mexico and the Santa Fe Book Festival. See www.garrettpeck.com

Nicolasa Chávez, a fourteenth-generation New Mexican, is a Curator at The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, where she has mounted several exhibitions. For her companion catalogue to A Century of Masters, she won a New Mexico Book Award. Chavez was previously Deputy State Historian. She received her masters degree in history at the University of New Mexico and is passionate about history and the performing arts, particularly flamenco, the favored dance of her Spanish ancestors. She conducts lecture-demonstrations combining flamenco song and dance with its history and has presented many programs on the traditions of New Mexico, Spain, and the Americas.