by Wolf Schneider
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| At the Matteucci Sculpture Garden today |
Cottonwoods and aspens are in potent young-green bloom
everywhere in Santa Fe, the ponds are full in the Nedra Matteucci Galleries
sculpture garden, and pink peonies are popping up on the patio at Restaurant
MartÃn. So begins high season. Behind the scenes there’s action, too: Four
Seasons Hotels takes over Tesuque’s posh Encantado Resort on June 1, and the beguiling
La Posada de Santa Fe with its six acres of gardens is no longer a Rock Resorts
property but remains owned by a Swiss bank.
I just went to the Michael McGarrity cocktail party for Hard Country, his sweeping historical Western
which is a prequel to his captivating Kevin Kerney mystery series. The party
was a benefit for the N. Scott Momaday Creative Writing Scholarship Fund at the
IAIA. Looking handsome in his distinguished elder way, Momaday was flanked by his
gorgeous daughters. Everyone wanted a minute with Momaday, and he graciously obliged.
He’s been living in Florida but intends to return to Santa Fe. While in town
this week, he’s recording some of his written works in his famous basso voice.
McGarrity’s writer cronies turned out too, including novelist David Morrell, who
wrote the Rambo books and lots of other thrillers; novelist Jann Arrington
Wolcott, who has a thriller slated for release in the fall; and poet Luci
Tapahonso. Native Peoples publisher
Stephen Phillips was there, explaining that Native
Peoples (http://www.nativepeoples.com/)
is the official Indian Market Magazine this year, and so was philanthropist
Charmay Allred, who produced the packed get-together. McGarrity will be
appearing at the Michael McCormick Gallery for another gala gathering on
Saturday, May 19 at 1 PM (http://www.mccormickgallery.com/)
McLarry Modern is now representing Sharron Evans, who does
those fabulous graphic-modernist horse paintings; Waxlander Gallery has some
splashy new paintings of Indians on horses by Native artist/playwright Bruce
King; Legends Santa Fe has a glowing green and blue glass water jar by Robert
Spooner Marcus that’s pretty much a steal at $3,000; and just across the
street, Blue Rain Gallery has some of the most elegant tall glass vessels
imaginable by Dante Marioni. Oh yes, high season is here.
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| Photographer: David Alfaya, Taken in Artist Studio: Gregory Lomayesva |
Wolf Schneider has been editor in chief of the Santa Fean,
editor of Living West, consulting editor of Southwest Art, and also blogs at
www.wolfschneiderusa.com
