Three Sisters Sanctuary is an Oasis of Reflection

Settled on a winding, picturesque back road in Goshen, Mass. lies Three Sisters Sanctuary, a one-of-a-kind museum "where art and nature merge." The museum is an outdoor art exhibition in the backyard belonging to Richard Richardson, an environmental artist, collector, curator and father of three sisters, the sanctuary's namesake. Richardson's home sits beside the sanctuary and is an equal reflection of his artistic creativity. In his words, "I live in my art, and my art lives in me." While much of Richardson's art is featured on the eight-acre property, it has become a collaboration of interdisciplinary artists, but nature has long been his greatest collaborator. Along the winding paths nestled between butterfly gardens and perennial plantings, guests will happen upon impressive stones, towering cairns, sun-bathed glasswork, bejeweled bodies and frolicking dancers, among many other eye-catching installations set on the edge of 3,900 acres of protected forest and wetland. Many of the sculptures are a recycler's dream, with materials such as rusted engines, silverware, bike tires and other sourced materials that others may pass by as junk. "I started collecting very early in life. I always bought things I liked but that I could afford. I bought so much," said Richardson. Richardson is a long-established environmental artist, but it was the passing of his eldest daughter that inspired him to continue developing the land into a shared space of art-filled reflection. Her spirit, among others, thrives in the essence of the sanctuary and continues to influence his vision. If the meditation labyrinths and lush scenery weren't calming enough, hand-painted signs remind visitors to "slow down and bathe in the peacefulness" and to use the space as "a place to heal and embrace life through art and nature." Richardson's hope is for visitors to find "serenity, spirituality and inner peace" during their time on the grounds. One of Richardson's sculptures, the fire breathing dragon (though not breathing fire when I visited), is a centerpiece of the land and stands as an altar. Visitors have left tokens of all kinds behind, and while some offerings are more intentional and meaningful, such as memorial cards of passed loved ones or painted rocks, many seem to be what folks likely had with them at the time: keychains, coins, jewelry and small toys. A particularly charming feature is the Fairy House, a retired fruit stand turned whimsical cabin. Inside visitors will find work by Sally Jane Howe, a creator of soft-sculpture cloth dolls inspired by the world of Faeries and antique children's books. Her dolls sit enjoying a tea party akin to something out of "Alice in Wonderland." Not to be missed on the property is the "Magical Mystery Mercantile," a barn guarded by a giant Tin Man and arched by a bicycle arbor, housing the Good Time Stove Museum amongst hundreds of other art pieces and collections. The owner of an antique stove restoration company since 1973, Richardson's stove museum is an unexpected addition to an already unpredictable landscape of treasures. As for the Sanctuary's future, Richardson said he will never get to the end, there is always more to create. He hopes the property will become a gift to the Pioneer Valley, but to guests of the sanctuary, it's clear it already is. Three Sisters Sanctuary is located at 188 Cape St., Goshen, Mass. Admission is a $20 donation per person and children under 12 are free. All donations fund the continued upkeep of the grounds. Learn more about Three Sisters Sanctuary at www.threesisterssanctuary.com.