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It was not my intention to make my recent visit to Santa Fe into an art-inspired buying frenzy. Quite conversely, my plan was to make it a relaxing (no cellphone and no laptop) getaway, punctuated by visits to a couple of local spas, and dinners at several of my favorite restaurants, with maybe a walk or two and a couple of glasses of wine thrown in for good measure. Santa Fe is (usually) the ideal place for this sort of getaway, not only because it’s a very spiritual and inspiring part of the country, but also because the spas and spa experiences in and around Santa Fe are both numerous and varied.
I figured I’d take an entire day to enjoy the Spa Samadhi at Sunrise Springs. Located just fifteen miles out of downtown Santa Fe, Sunrise Springs is an amazing retreat that sits on almost 70 acres of beautiful gardens, soothing ponds, and meandering walkways. In addition to the amazing accommodations, visitors to Sunrise Springs will discover a lovely Japanese teahouse and garden (where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese tea service), the Blue Heron Restaurant, Sages Art Center (which includes a Raku clay studio, yoga and Tai Chi classes, a teaching kitchen, Koi fountain and reflecting pool, and an art gallery and store), and my particular destination, the Spa Samadhi, with its amazing massages, body treatments and facials. Try a Samadhi Hot Stone Massage, then treat yourself to a Desert Sage and Citrus Body Scrub, followed by a High Desert Moisture Drench Facial. It’s a great day of treatments. By the time I got back downtown (thankfully someone else drove), I was ready to cuddle up by the fireplace at my hotel and relax the night away.
Day Two: Change of Direction. My first mistake (leading me out of my relaxation vacation and into the “Canyon Road” phase my art buying frenzy) happened when I got up on day two and decided to take a brisk walk up Canyon Road. I know what you’re thinking. Yes. I did already know that Canyon Road has more art galleries and shops than some small countries, but anything more than a passing interest and some window shopping had not occurred to me.
That is, until I was about halfway up and happened to see this really unusual image in the window of the Turner Carroll gallery that sits directly across from Geronimo (my favorite Santa Fe eatery). The image, which I later discovered to be one of artist Ann Weiner’s amazing optically altered photos, was called “Joy.” Deeper into the gallery, I found even more of Weiner’s photos. I fell absolutely in love with her work; particularly “Transformations,” “Dream Catcher,” The Omen,” and “Joy #2.” Nor was she the only artist that struck my fancy at Turner Carroll. If you visit, be sure to check out the work of Igor Melnikov, Braldt Braid and Georges Mazilu.
I would like to say that my art madness on Canyon Road was limited to my visit to Turner Carroll Gallery. It wasn’t. I also fell absolutely in love with Steve Bogdanoff’s work (which is conveniently on display at his gallery on Canyon Road). Bogdanoff is recognized internationally for his interpretive fresco secco paintings and giclée works on paper and canvas. And let me tell you, they are absolutely amazing. Even if I had not seen some of the Greek frescoes and vase paintings that inspired his work, I would have loved them. And since I have seen them, and have visited Akritiri (on the greek Island of Santorini), I found them even more endearing. They capture the very heart and essence of the art and the artistry they recreate in modern form. PS - You’ll LOVE the monkeys!
InArt Santa Fe Gallery also made my list of places to stop (and make purchases) as I wended my way back down Canyon Road. Located at 219 Delgado Street, just off Canyon Road, InArt offers a visually captivating selection of contemporary art. My favorite artists (among many great ones) were Tim Weldon (whose art captures both the complexity of its subject matter and the simplicity of primitive folk art), and Heather Metcalf, whose colorful abstracts have subsequently provoked many hours of contemplation. My final stop was the Adobe Gallery - a completely different, and more traditional art experience. I stopped, largely because I have always had a particularly strong attraction to Native American art, especially pottery and textiles, and the collection at the Adobe Gallery is really quite stunning.
