TerraSol: Community & Music in Patagonia, Arizona

The start of TerraSol Center

From Vanlife to the "Purple House" — Overnight

Hi, I'm Mary Tolena, new owner of the "purple house" property on Harshaw Avenue in Patagonia, Arizona.

I first arrived in Patagonia on 10/20/20. That very night, in one big decision, I went from vanlife nomad to 1905 adobe house homesteader. What? Who does that? I was as surprised as anyone. "Patagonia picks its people," as a neighbor says. Apparently! (Story here).

The Dream of TerraSol

Since age 13, I've had two big dreams: traveling in a VW van [✓], and creating a place where community, music & arts, and friendships thrive. Meeting the Purple House was the start of #2.

The name TerraSol came to me and felt right from the start. It's a place of grounding in the rhythms of the Earth, Sun and Sky, where people gather to co-create special moments in an easy flow.

What will happen here?

Experiential workshops & retreats
Music-making
Community happenings

My Thing is bringing people together to learn and make things happen, whether in a workshop or retreat, planning meeting, or simple musical jam. That’s what TerraSol is about.

(Read more about my background here.)

I’m passionate about meaningful in-person experiences, which we’ll need more than ever as we come out of the pandemic. TerraSol is a place to re-connect.

2021 is a building year, laying low as the pandemic wanes. But eventually, here’s what I see for TerraSol:

Camping
Camping facilities to serve Hikers, Bikepackers, and Van & Small RV Travelers

Experiential workshops
Periodic 1-3 day workshop-retreats led by me, my music friends, and area teachers (pairing a couple of workshops over a weekend, for example).

Work camps
Campers come together to build a project for TerraSol in the morning, explore Patagonia’s treasures in the afternoon, and get creative at night.

Community event space
Organization meetings, workshops, and classes led by others.

I appreciate your interest in TerraSol, and hope to see you here someday!

Hello, Patagonia Neighbors!

I feel lucky to have found this special place, with its rich history, culture, and dedicated community.

I'm also honored to be steward for "The Purple House," long a town landmark that I know has inspired many people's ideas for what could be done with it.

My intention is that TerraSol becomes a true community asset — a place for gatherings of both locals and visitors — that brings more of what we want here in town.

I want activities at TerraSol to broadly benefit Patagonia's citizens and business owners in ways like:

Hiring local designers, builders, and artists for the restoration work
Attracting customers (event participants) for town shops, restaurants, lodging, and services.
Collaborating with other venues and organizations on special projects and events
Offering meeting & workshop space for other teachers and groups

I know Patagonia already has a current of community traditions and energy that I haven't seen yet, with things tamped down because of the pandemic. I have a lot to learn.

As we can bring activities back to life, I look forward to hearing your visions for revitalizing what makes this place special, and for TerraSol to help those things happen.

I look forward to meeting you!

— Mary

P.S. Got a suggestion, idea, question, or thought? I'd love to hear from you via the form below, or at 520-987-0770.

The Road to TerraSol

You can read more about how this all came to be here. I feel blessed to be here, and look forward seeing what TerraSol is meant to be!

Where is Patagonia?