Dear friends,

The art displayed on the grounds at Montalvo marries our work as an arts center with our status as a public park.

Whether they are temporary installations by our Lucas Artists Fellows, activating our grounds each summer, or part of our permanent collection, these works capture the natural, artistic spirit of Montalvo.

Last Wednesday, we were extremely honored to welcome a very special addition to our growing permanent collection: One Legged Woman Standing by internationally celebrated sculptor Stephen De Staebler (1933-2011).    

In 2019, in celebration of my decade long tenure at Montalvo, a generous group of patrons created a commissioning fund to acquire a new work. I was so pleased. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to postpone our call for proposals.

At that same time, we received a call confirming this extraordinary gift for which I am especially touched and deeply honored. 

Positioned at the place of the missing “Winter” statue at the base of the Great Lawn, One Legged Woman Standing completes our “Four Seasons” once more.

What truly encapsulates this special moment is that she also shares a gaze with Winged Figure Ascending, our 2015 De Staebler acquisition which stands in front of the historic Villa, acting as our guiding light. 

In the words of artist Danae Mattes, widow of Stephen De Staebler: “I am so happy that One Legged Woman Standing has joined Winged Figure Ascending at Montalvo [...] This is one of those occasions that is so thoroughly perfect... as if always meant to be. Simply wonderful.”    

It is with deepest gratitude that we thank Danae and the Chadwick Dolby Gallery for their incredible generosity in bestowing this gift upon Montalvo and allowing us to share this exquisite work with all of you.