Scenic landscape, convoluted geology, archeology, and a slice of history. These all combine to furnish an unrepeatable backdrop for a sculptors' and artists' retreat, work space, and gallery, included in a preliminary master plan prepared by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Sculpture Center lies nestled behind Ambush Rock, a soaring wall of yellow sandstone in the Galisteo formation that cuts diagonally across New Mexico Highway 14, a National Scenic Biway some three miles north of the historic mining town of Cerrillos, New Mexico.

In Old West days, a break near the northeast end of the Rock provided a natural passageway for a wagon road to Santa Fe. According to legend, here masked bandits were in the habit of waylaying travelers on foot or horseback and robbing stagecoaches and express wagons carrying silver and gold from the mines.

The Garden of the Gods itself stretches almost three miles along the Highway from Ambush Rock south towards Cerrillos. Today's travelers view a scatter of grassy flats surrounded by a jumble of lofty stone pillars, turtlebacks of slickrock, and vast plates of exposed sandstone and limestone turned on edge by ancient upheavals of the earth. And unseen from the highway are clusters of outsize petrified logs, in age dating back more than a million years.

Just over a mile beyond the north boundary of the Sculpture Center, San Marcos Pueblo once stood on high ground overlooking spring fed San Marcos Arroyo. Recent archeology discloses that it was the most populous of all the pueblos when the Spaniards first arrived in 1540.

Each spring the San Marcos people trooped down to the Garden of the Gods with their agricultural tools and bags of seeds. In the valleys and hollows amid the formations, they planted their crops of colored corn, beans, squashes, and pumpkins and tended them, aided by sheet runoff from the surrounding rocks.

For the Indians, this variegated landscape was sacred ground. On stone cliffs and massive boulders, they carved religious petroglyphs. And throughout the area, they erected stone shrines to honor the kachina spirits who brought rain and protected fields.

A faint memory of the Indians' ancient reverence toward this sunlit land led government surveyors in the 1880's to call it the Garden of the Gods. By that name it remains known to this day.

Written by Marc Simmons
Garden Steward, Neighbor, New Mexico's best known and most distinguished historian.

Making trails during the Summer Solstice

We completed establishing the trails this weekend during the summer solstice. A few new pieces were added to the garden including James Vilona's "Murcury's Orbit", Warren Cullars "River Totem" and a collaborative installation by CullarBox titled "Lightening Field #2" just for fun. We also began our interpretive sign planning with Rici Peterson and hope to have our 501c3 Non Profit application in the mail within the month.

Return of the Ancestors Ceremony

A spring miraculously appeared above the pond the day before the Return of the Ancestors Council came to bless the land with a water ceremony. Kisha Little Grandmother of the Sioux and Salish Tribe held the ceremony for the New Mexico and Colorado region at the request of Adam Yellowbird and Grandfather Don Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj, leader of the Mayan Council of Elders. “At the time of the 12 Bhaktun and 13 Ahau is the time of the Return of our Ancestors and the return of the men and women of wisdom.” Apparently Little Grandmother had a vision and our land turned out to be that vision. A powerful earth acupuncture ceremony was held and quartz crystals were tossed into the waters of our pond and spring. We finished the ceremony by planting corn, bean and squash into the natural garden area of the property and watered each seed with water from the springs. Warren also found a perfect obsidian arrow head on the land the day before. It doesn't get any more Santa Fe than a weekend like that!

Erosion Stabilization

April 18th weekend turned out to be quite the weekend. Warren and I stayed the weekend on the land arriving Saturday morning to a 3inch blanket of snow that quickly melted into the land. Santa Fe's local ecological, wetlands, and erosion expert Steve Vrooman has provided us with excellent advice and we are putting it into action. We raked vulnurable areas, spread native dryland seed mix ($110 for a 20lb. bag) purchased from Plants of the Southwest (about a handful for every 15 sq. ft.) Raked the soil and seeds again before adding a layer of Gamma Straw (also from Plants of the Southwest $12 per bail). We were going to rent a gas powered 6" chipper shredder ($180) and grind up some of the brush we have on the land but Warren figured out that we could buy a lot of ready mulch for that price. So we did: 35 bags from Lowes for $4.60 a bag. Spread that over the Straw to keep it in place and noticed it was all wet from dew early the next morning. We had a good group of volunteers show up despite the snow. We put railroad ties into the parking area to establish 7 spots. We also began lining the garden sculpture trails with river rock.

CAMP kids visit

On December 6th the University of New Mexico Recreational Services and The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) found the best kept secret on the Turquoise Trail. The Garden of the Gods Sculpture Garden promises to be one of the highlights in this area.

We were planning to attend the Christmas lights of Madrid on that day and I needed to find some other interesting venue to explore before going into town. I found the information about the Garden of the Gods Sculpture Center by just “Googling” sculpture centers in New Mexico! I was able to get in contact with Warren and Kevin easily. Warren was going to be out of town but Kevin graciously offered to meet and talk to our group.

We met Kevin about an hour later from our original meeting time due to my lack of sense of direction! Before we had a tour of the area, Kevin gave an overview to the group about the Garden of the Gods Sculpture Center project. The area is full of unique rock formations and is rich in geology, which makes it a perfect place for a sculpture center. We were able to go on some existing trails as well as some that were currently being developed. The oasis on the property is the area where the pond and the springs are located with the smell of fresh mint patches!

Our students were very impressed with the current artwork on the property as well as the beauty of the area. One of our students who is an architect major was extremely excited about the building rendition that will go up in the near future.

The purpose of taking the CAMP students on various outings is to expose them to cultural activities and areas of New Mexico. This adventure proved to be a very rewarding experience for this group. We all look forward to going back to this little piece of heaven on the Turquoise Trail!

Laura Montoya
University of New Mexico
Recreational Services

December 2008 More Sculpture

"Life Boat" was installed into the Garden after its debut in Chicago on Election day. It was featured in the SOFA exhibition at Navy Pier.

Restoring the original Road 9-08

The original "Turquoise Trail" went through our property. In the 1930's the road was diverted away from the spring wetlands and paved a few hundred yards to the East. This road deteriorated over the last few years due to rain and neglect. We have now successfully restored the original road base along with the pond that is now holding water. Warren made sure that all cacti that had grown in the path of the road were transplanted and God made sure to fill the pond within two weeks of fixing the dam.

THE BIG RAIN 9-8-08

After a heavy "Deluge" as Marc Simmons called it, our property received an incredible amount of water. Having just repaired the dam, the pond swelled to absolute capacity! Warrens work on the pedestrian gate by the scenic pullout is also finished.

August 2008

5-25-08 Sculpture in the Garden!

Warren and I have officially installed the first sculptures at the Garden of the Gods.......It is now a sculpture garden! WAHOO! Our new gates are in and roads are started thanks to donations from Michael Ribelin. First pieces include James Vilona's bronze "Discovery Chair" that is mounted to bearings and spins. Kevin Box' "Ladder of the Rising Stars" fabricated, powder coated steel and Eric Ober's powder coated steel "Chaos". We will be installing Warrens bronze "Sky Totem" later this week. It was a beautiful day that included a lot of clearing of brush from around the spring areas and establishing of trails. Our neighbor and famous historian Marc Simmons joined us for story telling around the campfire, an evening complete with hotdogs, marshmallows and friends. It has begun.

The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, as a means of providing its students with hands-on learning experiences, is working with the Garden of the Gods Sculpture Center, a non-profit arts organization in Santa Fe, New Mexico to design a public Sculpture Center on a breathtaking 35-acre property just south of Santa Fe along the scenic Turquoise Trail.

Presentation boards, models and master plans are part of an exhibit the students and faculty produced for the public relations and fund-raising phase of the project. The $11 million project, when complete, will house 6-10 resident artists, staff, studio workshop space, and a public gallery/exhibition space for the artists in residence.

The project applies in-depth research in sustainability to produce a design for the clients that includes passive solar heating, cooling, and ventilation, photo voltaic electricity, local building materials, and indigenous design references. The design intends to celebrate the natural qualities of the site by creating a dialog with the natural landforms and framing distant views. As well, the clients intend to set aside portions of the property as a conservation easement and enhance a natural wetland spring on the property.

The School considers proposals from organizations interested in collaborating on designs related to sustainability, social responsibility, and arts/culture. Other projects we've worked on include the Mississippi project for post-Katrina housing, an Orphanage near Pondicherry, India, and collaborations with the American Institute of Architects' initiatives to envision the future of two Western towns: Lake Havasu City, AZ and Mountain Green, UT.


- Victor Sidy
Dean of Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture

12-07 Southwest Art Magazine Article

11-1-07 Taliesin Phase 2

Alexander Dzurec, Principle of Autotroph Architecture firm in Santa Fe, traveled with Warren and Kevin to Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ. to continue the next phase of design develpment. Updated presentations were made and students were interviewed for an apprentice exchange program. Above photos depict two of the many "shelters" designed and built by students that live at Taliesin West.

10-17-07 Executive Architect joins team

One year after purchasing the land, we have officially added an Executive Architect to our team. Santa Fe resident Alexander Dzurec, Principle of Autotroph Design: an architecture, planning and consulting firm evolved from Mazria Odems Dzurec, has been a long time leader in the field of sustainable design. Alexander will be assisting in the next phases of architectural planning, further developing the concepts established by the Frank Lloyd Wright School. We are very excited for this to begin our second year of "Cultivating the Garden."

6-8-07 Newspaper Article

Concept Drawings and Models

These concept drawings for the primary Studio/Exhibition space were rendered and concieved by the Taliesin Apprentices. Their design challenge was to create a building that merges naturally with the landscape, stands up to LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and architecturaly relates to the area. An amazing topographical model of the site affords the opportunity to view the layout of the art center with great detail. Click on these images to make them larger.

Taliesin at the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden!

Garden Party

Dossett McCullough rolled out the red carpet at his Houston home this week to introduce Kevin and the Garden of the Gods Project to his close friends who have homes in Santa Fe. Partners in the project Warren Cullar and his wife Kitty were there as well John and Susan Whitmire. Among those attending were Lynn Wyatt, Helen and Alan Buckwalter, Letty and David Knapp, Lynda and David Underwood, Julie and Markley Crosswell, Margaret and Dr. Jeff Lanier and B.A. Bentsen, Sara Beth and Dexter Peacock, Nancy Allen, Kitty Neuhas, Christina Girard and many more. Kevin was in visiting Houston for the Bayou City Art Festival that awarded him "Best In Show" and for a One Man Show opening at Thornwood Gallery throughout the month of April, chosen by Southwest Art Magazine as "Best of the West" shows to see in Texas.

Design Phase March 2007

Visiting Taliesin West on my way to California, I was delighted to see the progress made by the students. Their focus has been on designing the Studio Gallery within the master plan. I saw a variety of models and designs and was able to sit in on their Sustainable Design class where they are learning about the practices usefull to the Santa Fe area.

Taliesin West and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture visited Santa Fe for a round-table that far exceeded our expectations. We walked the site with board members Bob Douglass and Dossett McCullough as well as local architects and builders. The following day was spent in the round-table with local participants and intense design exercises. Victor Sidy, the Dean of Taliesin proved himself exceptional in orchestrating the charette. He addressed our needs, identified solutions and brought out the talented perspective of his apprentices. The process effectively changed our minds, inspired ideas we had not thought of, re-arranged the potential of the site and ultimately confirmed in us a clear vision for an art center in the Garden of the Gods. The apprentices have returned to Scottsdale to begin their designs for the Garden and we look forward to unveiling them in May on their annual migration North.

Design Charrette

Saturday, January 20th 2007 beginning at 9:00 AM. Participating individuals include:

• Warren Cullar and Kevin Box:Founders of Garden of the Gods Art Center
• Dr. Robert Douglass, FAIA, FACHA: Architect, founding board member
• Dossett McCullough: Founding board member and fundraiser.
• David Dodge: Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice and Taliesin Architect
• Victor Sidy, Dean of The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
• Taliesin Apprentices:
• Thai Blackburn
• Christian Butler
• Marsha Fader
• Jeff Graham
• Russell Mahoney
• Nick Mancusi
• Marietta Pagkalou
• Ada Rose Williams
• Scott Irving: Wisdom Design and Build LLC
• Alexander Dzurec: of Autotroph, architecture: Mazria Odems Dzurec
• John Padilla: AIA Padilla and Associates Architects
• Marc Simmons: writer and neighboring land owner
• Lynn McLane: President, Turquoise Trail Association
• Stephen Yadzinski: Big Swing photographer
• Nai Smith: Stoneridge Realty, local resident
• Phillip Haozous: artist and designer of Allan Houser Sculpture Garden

First Steps

We are taking the first steps in defining the boundaries of design, ideas and structure placement for the Garden of the Gods site. A select group of graduate apprentices and senior faculty from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation at Taliesin West have been invited to Santa Fe January 20-24, to walk the site and udertake initial design preperations. We need assistance in the following areas:

• TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS FOR THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION.
accomplished, Thanks to Bob and Darlene Douglass, Ross and Tina Richardson and Syd Popinsky.

• A SITE FOR HOSTING ONE DAY OF ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS.
accomplished, Thanks to the Allan Houser Foundation

• TALIESIN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE HOST
accomplished, Thanks to Louisa Sarofim and the Polmood Estate.

Donations suppliment costs involved in the project and afford the donor Membership and respectful benefits with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Hosts and Participants, please contact Kevin Box @ 512.557.2538 or kevin@outsidetheboxstudio.com

Winter in the Garden

The Wright Style

After another visit to Taliesin West and an overnite stay at the Price Tower in Oklahoma, I have seen Wrights Organic philosophy in action. These live/work designs are a good match to our vision and I believe the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architectures approach to the project could result in a meaningfull, inspirational and functional space. We have begun plans to bring a select group of Taliesin Graduate students to Santa Fe in January to walk the property and define the boundaries of design through roundtable discussions. Looking to host these guests and a site for discussions, Phase 2 begins.......

11-6-06 Meeting at Taliesin West with the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture

After a very productive meeting at Taliesin West with Philip Allsopp, CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and his staff, we have established a great start for developing a master plan through the F.L.W. School of Architecture. Victor Sidy, Dean of the Architecture School (white shirt) embraced our vision and the idea of proposing the challenge to the students for an initial approach. Joseph Payton, a Denver real estate developer relocating to Scottsdale set up the meeting (blue shirt) and watches on as Victor and I share the photos and proposed site plan with the students.

10-13-06 Voices in the Garden.

Today we closed on the property, phase 1 complete! Katherine Biel, Kevin Box, Warren Cullar, John Whitmire and Susan Maclin, (not seen: Cheryl Falgoust Smith, seller and Lynn Murray, consultant)

9-18-06 In The Beginning

This property was offered to me about a year ago in "Trust" that I would do something meaningful with it and it is my intention to do so. During Indian Market we went out to see what there was to see with great surprise. Warren Cullar stands on "Ambush Rock" located at the scenic turn-out of New Mexico's Hwy 14, a national historic bi-way called the Turquoise Trail. Located about 20 miles South of Santa Fe, the Rocks we stand on are known locally as "The Garden of the Gods". Warren, our official artifact finder, picks up a 1939 wheat penny just below his foot after taking this picture. On the same day the HWY dept. installed a bronze plaque commemorating the creativity of the WPA on this road in 1939. This is the place!!