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In
2003, Mary Trask and Mike Petzel left New
England to move to New Mexico. They bought
a 2 1/2 acre parcel right on Route 66 that
included fruit and walnut trees, a house,
several outbuildings and two extra dogs. The
greatest thing about the place was it had a
100-year-old, 2000 square-foot adobe building
with a pressed tin ceiling 11 feet tall that
could be used as a gallery. At one time
the building belonged to a Lebanese man named
Fidel, whose son became a US senator. It's been
a grocery store, bar, shoe repair and tack shop,
a church, cabinet shop and who knows what else.
There's lots of history in its thick adobe
walls. The wide front porch is great for
sitting, taking in the view of Mount Taylor, and
watching whatever happens on Route 66. The
property is smack in the middle of Indian
reservations, state parks and a Spanish land
grant.
Mary and Mike have worked steadily to fix up the
property. gallery66.us opened in 2004
featuring the work of over 30 artists from
across the country, as well as Canada, Australia
and New Zealand. They've made progress on
revitalizing the orchard and rebuilding the
original adobe houses. Soon, they hope to
be able to offer lodging for artists and
tourists.
Mary left a career in costume design in New
England to come to San Fidel but she is also an
accomplished mosaic artist herself with more
than 15 years experience. The gallery
features many of her own works in addition to
those of other artists.
You
can read an interview with Mary by clicking
here.
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