gate and, for the first time ever, closed
the hot springs to the public.
Judd was consequently unpopular
with nearby residents who, for more
than a century, had relied on the hot
springs for drinking water, to wash their
clothes and as a gathering place for
birthdays and weddings. It was a strange
time, some would say a dark time. Judd
rarely visited the hot springs, instead hir-
ing caretakers to guard the place, with
strict orders not to let anyone in.
With the springs shrouded in mystery,
rumors circulated that Judd was
involved in the occult and that he held
secret rituals at the springs. Although the
rumors had little merit, following Judd’s
death in 1994 from lymphoma, there
was widespread talk of the “hot springs
curse” – the idea that anyone who kept
people from the healing waters would be
cursed with bad luck or even death.
In 1997 Fort Worth psychiatrist and
photographer Richard Fenker pur-
chased the hot springs with the intent of
reopening them to the public. Having
long been a regular visitor, Fenker was
troubled when it closed. So when he
heard the springs were for sale, he told
the realtor to “go ahead and offer them
full price. Tell them I’ll take it.”
Fenker’s vision for the hot springs was
bold. Inspired in part by the Esalen
Institute in Big Sur, Calif., a nonprofit
retreat focusing on alternative education
and healing therapies, Fenker formed a
nonprofit corporation with a full board
of directors. Partially to aid in fund-rais-
ing efforts, as well as to connect the hot
springs to the land surrounding it, he
renamed the resort the Chinati Hot
Springs.
Excitement about the reopening of
the hot springs ran high. Work weekends
were organized, and people from across
the region descended to clear out brush,
patch and paint the buildings and
replace outmoded plumbing and elec-
tricity. In the evenings, the volunteers
gathered around the campfire and with
guitars and harmonicas broke the
silence that had reigned for most of the
decade.
Although a resounding success in
terms of reopening the resort to the
public as well as reinventing the spirit of
place, financially the venture seemed like
an unending string of difficulties. The
constant struggle for grant money, and
in coming up with ways to pay staff, ulti-
mately proved to be too much. In 2004,
Fenker sold the hot springs to landown-
er and former Tyco CEO Jeff Fort, who
had already purchased the nearby Pinto
Canyon Ranch from the Judd estate.
Although more modest in scope, Fort
had his own vision for the springs – one
centered around retaining its historic
character. He also had the budget to
carry his vision through, and in the first
year or so added a concrete outdoor tub
and a community kitchen, in addition to
a cool pool for use during the warmer
months of the year.
David and Krissy Sines, originally
from the Dallas area, oversaw and
helped with much of the work. Having
been the last caretakers under Fenker’s
ownership, they remained after Fort’s
purchase and would stay on longer than
anyone in its later history. Although
Crissy tragically passed away in 2010,
many fondly recall her embracing kind-
ness and generous spirit.
Today, under new caretakers Dan
and Dianna Burbach, who have over-
seen a whole new round of repairs and
remodeling, the Chinati Hot Springs is
fast becoming one of the more popular
destinations in the Big Bend. Although
some still come for the water’s healing
properties, increasingly the springs have
simply become a place to escape – away
from the bright lights, the noise, the fre-
netic pace of urban life. A jewel in the
rough, the Chinati Hot Springs remains
for many a place of refuge, a sanctuary
with a history as expansive as the cre-
osote-studded desert that surrounds it.
The history of Chinati Hot Springs is a
work in progress. If you have additions, correc-
tions, criticisms, stories, or photographs you
would like to share, please contact the author at:
flatbilly2@gmail.com or call 432.837.8829.
The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art
museum founded by the artist Donald Judd
presenting permanent, large-scale installations
by a limited number of artists and hosting
special exhibitions and programs throughout
each year.
For more information please visit www.chinati.org.
NOW OPEN
VISIT
Accepting new patients Donald Judd’s 15 outdoor works in concrete are available for open viewing daily, 9 AM - 5 PM.
All other exhibition spaces are accessible by guided tour only, Wednesday through Sunday.
Walk-ins welcome Tour times are subject to change based on availability. Please reserve in advance to guarantee
tour admission at www.chinati.org or 432 729 4362.
Full Collection Tour 10 AM - 4 PM (break from 12:30 - 2:00 PM)
Se habla Español
2600 N. Hwy 118 (in the Medical Office portion of the Hospital)
Monday through Friday • 8:00am to 5:00pm
Includes all works in the permanent collection (Judd, Kabakov, Long, Rabinowitch, Chamberlain, Flavin,
Arnarrson, Wesley, Horn, Andre, Oldenburg & van Bruggen) and special exhibitions (Arp, Sugimoto)
$25 Adult, $10 Student
Dr. Catherine Harrington
Family Practice / Fellowship-trained OB
Board Certified Family Practice
Dr. Harrington is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Meharry
School of Medicine in Tennessee. She has a special interest in pedi-
atric patients and OB’s. To make an appointment with Dr.
Harrington, please call 432-837-0431. Selections Tour 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Dr. Rochelle Sohl
Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery
Board Certified OB/Gyn
Dr. Sohl is an Honors graduate from the University of Texas San
Antonio. She is an Alpine native and has special interests in
menopause, pelvic floor surgeries and women’s health issues. To
make an appointment with Dr. Sohl, please call 432-837-0430. Donald Judd’s 15 Works in Concrete Free open viewing 9 AM - 5 PM daily
Allison Ainsworth, ANP
Allison Ainsworth is an adult nurse practitioner who offers primary
care for men and women over the age of 13. Allison received her
MSN while working at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She
has worked with over 3,500 patients and also has experience in
supervising care for a Nursing Home.
Selected exhibitions from the permanent collection (Judd, Flavin, Chamberlain)
$20 Adult, $10 Student
Donald Judd’s 100 Works in Mill Aluminum 3:45- 4:15 PM
*this exhibition is included on both the Full Collection and Selections Tour
$10 Adult, $5 Student
Admission for all tours free to Chinati members, students age 17 and under, and residents of Brewster, Jeff
Davis, and Presidio Counties.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Community Day
Sunday, April 29, 2012
An annual event celebrating our West Texas friends and neighbors. Open viewing of the
collection, dinner and music in the Arena, lectures, art activities, and more. All events are free.
Free Summer Art Classes for Area Students ages Preschool through Grade 8
July 23 - August 10
1 Cavalry Row Marfa Texas 79843 www.chinati.org 432 729 4362
Cenizo
Second Quarter 2012
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