- We all have unique talents and cultures and hobbies, especially here in our region.

Carolina Impact's Dara Khaalid and videographer Russ Hunsinger introduce us to a couple whose special art collection pays homage to their Puerto Rican heritage.

(machine whirring) (upbeat music) (birds chirping) (waves crashing) (camera clicking) - [Dara] We've all got hobbies, right?

The activities we like to do in our spare time simply because they make us happy.

Well, what about a hobby that's led to a collection of over 600 items?

(upbeat music) - This is one piece we acquire in the last three months.

- [Dara] For more than 50 years, Francisco Toste Santana and his wife Nitza Mediavilla Piñero, have been collecting hand carved Puerto Rican Santos de Palo, the traditional Catholic wooden saints that embody centuries of faith, artistry and culture.

- It is the faith that people had that the Santo will help them when they were in remote areas without communication and nobody around to help them.

They pray to their Santos.

- [Dara] According to art historian and curator, Dr.

Dorie Reents-Budet, this practice of crafting Catholic images started in the 16th century by Puerto Rico's first Spanish immigrants.

When Franciscan Friars arrived on the island in the 1500s to convert indigenous Taino people to the Catholic faith, they couldn't find many images of their saints.

So the friars looked to Taino artisans and immigrants without training to create the wooden figurines.

(bright music) Those colorful sacred pieces adorn Francisco and Nitza's home, from shelves on the wall to glass front cases you'll find various Santos, some that depict the three kings riding on horseback, notable virgins, like the Virgin of Montserrat, and Santa Barbara.

This is one of the couple's newest pieces created by the late Francisco Rivera, which Francisco holds proudly as he tells us more about it.

- Over here are his initials, F.R, and also the year 1879, when he made this piece.

- [Dara] So I'm sure you're wondering just like I was, what sparked their love for Santos that led to them having so many?

Well, for the duo that was born and raised in Puerto Rico, it began with an annual wedding anniversary tradition.

- The first year is paper.

You're supposed to give your wife a paper gift.

That was simple.

So the fifth year is wood.

I decided to go to the old city of San Juan where there are a lot of art galleries.

I saw three kings, which are the three Magis, and I decided to buy for her.

I took it to her and she was very pleased with it.

- [Dara] That got the ball rolling for years to come, not just with anniversary gifts, but inspiring Nitza to begin creating Santos herself.

- Since the first day, I got hook and I really like it.

- [Dara] You can see one of Nitza Santos, the Lonely Soul of Purgatory, up close at the Mint Museum Randolph.

It conveys a powerful belief in their religion.

- If you die with some sins, first you go to purgatory, then after a lot of prayers and whatever, you go to heaven.

- [Dara] Nitza's Santo isn't the only one you can see at the museum.

In fact, you can see nearly 200 items from their personal collection.

The exhibit "Art of Devotion, the Santos de Palo tradition of Puerto Rico" is made exclusively with their pieces.

- A museum is supposed to be a place where people come in and realize that every object has a story and a significance, and was made by someone.

I hope that everyone takes a moment to pause, and think about the origin story of these objects.

- Magnifica.

- [Dara] As Francisco and Nitza gaze upon their beloved Santos from their birthplace, their hearts are full seeing them on display in Charlotte, where they've called home for more than five years.

- The presentation is gorgeous, and to see our Santos in this place has been very important to us.

So that many more people know about this tradition, which is part of our country.

- [Dara] Just how the Santos eloquently capture Puerto Rican culture, so do moments like this, where the couple enjoys drinking chilled glasses of coquito with their daughter.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

- It's a very traditional that people will make a recipe at home and take it to their neighbors, or friends during the Christmas time.

- [Dara] From the simple joy of family moments, to the rich heritage of their Santos de Paolo collection, Francisco and Nitza continue to preserve the spirit of the art of their faith and share its vibrant legacy.

For Carolina Impact, I'm Dara Khaalid.