If you’ve ever read “The Secret Garden” or seen the movie, you probably associate this phrase with a hidden oasis. New Mexico’s version of “The Secret Garden” doesn’t disappoint. Behind the walls of the Nedra Matteucci Galleries lies a peaceful paradise that you’ll want to discover.
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Santa Fe is filled with galleries but Nedra Matteucci is special, not only for housing a collection that features some truly recognizable names, but also for its sculpture garden.
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The gallery concentrates on 19th and 20th century American artwork and it’s worth exploring the sprawling rooms of this adobe building – even if the price tags on the items within are way beyond your budget.
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Venture out back, where you’ll find a garden that shows how landscaping can be a form of art.
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Sculptures are integrated into the natural setting in a thoughtful – sometimes playful - way.
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Admire the strength of Don Ostermiller’s bears. This wildlife sculptor learned how to depict the essence of an animal from his father, a taxidermist.
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Mosey along gently curving paths…
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…To a tranquil pond, where ducks coast across the still waters…
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…And an elephant is poised on the banks!
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In a high desert environment, it’s unusual to encounter a spot that feels so lush and rich with foliage.
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Relax on a bench and let this peaceful place erase your stress.
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You could walk right past this walled garden for years, without ever guessing it was here. And that’s part of the charm of this magical place.
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You can escape the world and spend time with sculptures that wouldn’t be out of place in the pages of beloved children’s stories, all in the middle of Santa Fe.
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Since it’s part of a gallery, there’s no fee to enter the sculpture garden, which is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. every day except Sunday.
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The Nedra Matteucci Galleries are located at 1075 Paseo de Peralta, a short stroll away from Canyon Road, where many of the city’s other galleries are clustered.
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For more information, visit the Facebook page for Nedra Matteucci Galleries.
Once you’ve found your Zen, amble over to nearby Kakawa, for a cup of drinking chocolate that will complete a perfect experience.
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