Summer 2011 Progress Report

The Academy Center and its adjacent buildings have opened! We began moving our offices in March and slowly but surely we are making the new Center, Caretaker/guest quarters and Art Studio our home. The peaceful water wall is flowing, furniture is slowly being delivered and we are imbuing the buildings with the same care and attention we have since we purchased the land back in 2003.

We have begun implementing a Learning Landscape program which will continue to emerge over the next several years, carefully laying out future garden areas, including Native American waffle gardens, medicinal and aromatic gardens, all using indigenous species from the southwest, We have already implemented many planting areas both to set the boundaries of the property and to meet requirements of the county for our certificate of occupancy These include plantings of cottonwood and sycamore as well as New Mexico privet, native grasses and sumac. We have created swales on both the east and west sides of property to help retain and direct water. And, we have created many seating areas outdoors to enjoy the beautiful New Mexico landscape.

The transformation of the remains of the former Seton Castle is nearly complete! Stay tuned for images of the amazing outdoor meeting and performance space in our next Progress Report.

Come visit us to see, hear and feel the deeply inspiring setting we’ve created to bring forth the Academy’s work into the world.