A Brief History of Santa Fe’s Landmark Gallery: Nedra Matteucci Galleries

Minutes from the heart of downtown Santa Fe, nestled at the feet of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, is a place that contains an abundance of history, mysteries, and a treasure trove of fine art. That place is Nedra Matteucci Galleries, one of the largest and oldest art galleries in Santa Fe. Through its doors have passed works by some of the world’s greatest artists, but the institution is its own kind of masterpiece.

Front entrance of Nedra Matteucci Galleries

The Gallery sits on nearly two acres and encompasses over 20,000 square feet. However, the original structure was created from just two small, 19th-century adobe homes along the Acequia Madre. These were later combined and expanded into a small Gallery and residence by art dealer Nicolas Woloshuk.

In 1972, the property was purchased by Rex Arrowsmith and Forrest Fenn. Stories about these two could fill many more blogs, but their larger-than-life personalities and ambitions ultimately gave the Gallery much of its early physical and reputational prominence.

One of Arrowsmith and Fenn’s first projects was converting an original farm outbuilding into a bronze foundry. There they learned the art of bronze casting and produced many pieces, most notably a number of wood carvings by Nicolai Fechin and also sculptor Glenna Goodacre’s first pieces. Much to Fenn’s disappointment, this foundry later had to be converted to a regular gallery when added to the main building due to fire safety concerns. It is now the back display room of the Gallery as it exists today. 

After buying out Arrowsmith’s interest in the business, Fenn launched a sizable building campaign. He began work on a residence for his family to occupy the oldest part of the property and include a second story. On the ground floor, he constructed bedrooms for his two daughters and carved out office space for himself and Gallery staff.

Galleries originally part of Forrest Fenn’s family residence

In 1981, the building assumed the look it largely has today with the addition of the guest house, library, and garden area. Once an orchard, the one-acre garden was purchased by Fenn to be his private backyard. That same year, he built the pond, water features, and even eventually adopted two pet alligators named Elvis and Beowulf. 

Fun fact: These reptilian residents would remain at the Gallery for several years after Nedra and Richard Matteucci purchased it in 1988.

Nedra Matteucci Galleries garden at dusk

Glenna Goodacre - “Basket Dance” Monument, Ed. of 12, bronze, 77 x 32 x 39 in.

Dan Ostermiller - “Pelota de Oso”, Ed. of 15, bronze, 33 ½ x 32 ½ x 23 ½ in.

Nedra Matteucci was already an accomplished art dealer when she and her husband Richard purchased the Gallery in 1988. Both native New Mexicans with long-running family ties to the region, the Matteuccis were well-versed in the art and culture of the Southwest. At the time, Nedra owned Nedra Matteucci Fine Art on Canyon Road (then Garcia Street) and had worked with Forrest Fenn for years, but taking on the esteemed Fenn Galleries would be the journey of a lifetime.

Nedra Matteucci in front of a work by Leon Gaspard

Leon Gaspard - “Bratislavian Gathering”, oil on panel, 22 x 26 in.

Richard Matteucci, a professional chef, pictured with Dan Ostermiller’s “Melba”

Though much of the Gallery’s layout is the same, the property and its collection have taken on new life in the 35 years it’s been Nedra Matteucci Galleries. Nedra first made her mark by opening the garden to the public with the installation of monument-size sculpture, allowing artists to display works of all sizes. After years of love and landscaping, it’s one of the most lush spaces in Santa Fe, enjoyed by thousands of patrons, locals, and pet friends every year.

William Berra - “Gate at Fenn’s Pond”, oil on board, 16 x 12 in.

Painted at the gate of the Gallery’s sculpture garden in 1994

What Fenn Galleries began with its focus on historic works of the Southwest, Nedra took to a new level. With her deep experience and connections in the art world, she steered the Gallery to specialize in works by the original Taos Society of Artists and the early Santa Fe art colony. Along with growing its inventory of sculpture and its roster of contemporary masters represented, Nedra has led the Gallery to become one of the most renowned institutions for buying and selling fine art in the country.

Laura Robb - “Santa Nino”, oil on linen, 18 x 18 in.

Fremont Ellis - “Golden Autumn”, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in.

Pieces shown are all available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe. 

For more information, please contact the Gallery at (505) 982-4631 or email inquiry@matteucci.com