Meet Linda Goldenstein.
Q: Tell us about you and your family.
A: I’m a native of Northern Arizona. My family lived in Peach Springs on the Hualapai Indian reservation on Route 66. When I was born, my dad had a series of gas stations, and my great grandfather and great grandmother were married in 1895 in Flagstaff. They settled in Wynona, Arizona.
Q: What inspired you to become an Art Curator?
A: I am an Art Curator. I had an art gallery and art business in Sedona for 20 years. This year is my 20th anniversary. I did have a ‘brick and mortar gallery, which I closed on February 29th, 2020. I didn’t know that the pandemic was going to hit. We’re in our 6th year of a partnership with L’Auberge de Sedona, and we host an ‘artist in residence program and painting classes. We also have the “Lunch with an Artist” series, “Cocktails with a Curator,” and all kinds of fun events. We also have worked with countless non-profits and charities to support their cause.
Q: Aside from being at L’Auberge de Sedona, how does someone find you?
A: They can Google ‘Goldenstein,’ and we will pop right up. We have a significant presence on the web. In addition, our website has a lot of videos, so you can meet the artists through those videos and see our extensive inventory. We have over 60 artists on our website in all styles and mediums. Our art is at L’Auberge, Seven Canyons, and The Chapel of the Holy Cross. We exhibit James Muir’s body of work that is spiritually oriented. If you visit those locations, the artwork is tagged. Often, there’s a QR code with information, or we’re just a phone call away.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Sedona? And what brought you here?
A: My family goes back to the 1940s in Sedona, and my great uncle, Walter Nelson, was Arizona’s Highway Commissioner and made the five lanes in West Sedona way back in the day. So I’ve been coming to Sedona all my life. When 9/11 happened, I had a gallery in Santa Fe on Canyon Road and decided that I would rather be in the Sedona/Verde Valley area. At that time, I had five generations living here. So that’s why I came back and started my business here.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: What motivates me and keeps me going regarding my art business is how art enhances lives. Whether people collect or not, I love how it makes people feel better. On a personal level, I have six grandchildren, and I love spending time with my family.
Q: Who is the most exciting person you’ve met here in Sedona?
A: That is such a tough question to answer or to narrow it down to one person. I’ve met so many interesting people, and I have been blessed to work with many renowned local artists through my gallery. Adele Seronde was such a dear friend of mine. She passed away. She started “Gardens for Humanity,” a movement that beautified Boston’s inner city with beautiful murals painted on walls and gardens were planted. She was just a huge advocate for education, teaching children where food comes from, and an incredible artist.
Q: What advice do you give to your children?
A: Number one, “Keep it Simple.” Come from a place that benefits everyone, including you, so don’t exclude yourself. Don’t have it work just for yourself, have it work for the benefit of all.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Sedona?
A: All of them are my favorites. We’re so fortunate to have so many great restaurants, so I celebrate my birthday for a month. I get to eat out a lot, and there are places that I love to go with a friend, romantic places, places with music, those that have great views, or next to the creek. There’s something I love about every restaurant in town.
Q: If you could choose anyone, with whom would you have lunch? Why?
A: Actually, I have two people. Robert Kennedy – there were many things that he still had to say and do in this world that didn’t happen. He wanted to help people in America. The other one would be Marilyn Monroe. I would love to meet her. I think she did a lot to change things for women in America by being who she was.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sedona?
A: Sedona is the best place to come home to. I love to travel. I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world, and I hope to do more. I love seeing those red rocks when I come home. I feel like they’re giving me a big hug, and it just the whole vibe. People would ask, “Where is the vortex?” My answer is, “The whole place is a vortex.
Q: When friends or family come to visit, where do you take them?
A: I take them to L’Auberge, of course! I send them to the Chapel. There are so many great places to go and so many beautiful hikes. I love Oak Creek and being under the canopy of the trees. I feel like all my troubles go down the stream. It’s just amazing! It smells good, and it feels good.
