Our story

“…twinkle, twinkle little star, how I WONDER what you are…”

Although I’ve come a long way from the days of looking skyward and reciting that verse, I’ve never strayed far from the pure act of wondering. The idea of some type of ‘Wondering Forum’ has been gestating within me for many years. Originally, I imagined a print magazine about Wondering and then I imagined an Institute – a physical space where people could come to exchange information…to brainstorm…to inspire and be inspired. I wanted to create a destination where visitors would feel safe, welcome, understood.

For a long time, the concept remained just that – a concept. There was simply too much on my proverbial plate. My passion has always been communication and The Arts. The manifestation of that passion was my gallery: Linda Durham Contemporary Art – which for over three decades took almost all of my time. I did implement my proclivity to ‘wonder’ in a unique ad campaign that LDCA ran in THE Magazine of Santa Fe for several years. Despite the success of this ad campaign there were larger forces at work and unfortunate global economic upheavals prompted me to close the gallery. My fantastic journey was abruptly and painfully halted in 2011.

I spent a year wondering and wandering. Time, travel and talks with friends and mentors erased my sense of loss of a long-held identity: "Linda Durham, Girl Art Dealer!" Something beckoned me to follow my instincts. It began with the Wonder Postcard Road Project. This ongoing Project fed and inspired me. Next I decided to turn a collection of nascent ideas into something exciting, something tangible: an Institute; The Wonder Institute.

I invite you to join us, to share your thoughts and experiences with us and become a part of The Wonder Institute family.

“…wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight!”