The Sanctum of Funk & Fun

Throughout history, artists, writers, and travelers have sought sanctity by retreating to a sanctuary. From quiet places to meditate and work, to spaces well equipped with the acoustics to play and enjoy music, the desire to inspire lingers. A local sanctuary called The Sanctum exists in the Virginia Heights neighborhood of Central El Paso that is used as an Airbnb, event space, and more to those who seek a transcendent experience.

“I started the idea of a sanctum probably 10 years ago, when I was in San Francisco,” says Justin Kepple, owner of The Sanctum, who also accomplished most of the handiwork. “I always had intended to come back to El Paso.”

The Sanctum is located on the ground level of a two-story home built in 1910 that was once the site of women’s suffrage movement in El Paso, and later housed U.S. Army war veterans.

The home’s rich history and good bones -- wood floors, high ceilings, lots of natural light -- lent itself to an inspiring future after some TLC.

“We knew it was going to take a lot of work and so we got to it,” says Kepple, whose daughter, Autumn, and girlfriend, Nancy, assisted in the renovations, decorations, and vision for The Sanctum. “I’m not an extraordinarily handy person,” he continues. “But, I’m a good problem solver. We put in the time, we put in the energy -- learning how to pace yourself is important.”

The time and energy put into The Sanctum are palpable.

After an ascent of about a dozen steps, it’s easy to feel immediately uplifted and safe within the museum-esque walls, cozy furniture, vinyl collection, and local art.

“We have art from locals Christin Apodaca and Charlie Morales, as well as photos on display from local photographers, Rebecca Moreno and Michelle Romero,” says Kepple. “We’re always looking to add to the collection.”

Much of the furniture and decor were sourced from local thrift shops, while other fixtures were discovered by chance.

“These speakers I found on someone’s driveway were thrown out. They were there with the trashcan and I was like, ‘No way,” says Kepple.

The speakers are now housed inside The Sanctum’s music room, the lungs between the heart of the space -- the record player.

The Sanctum’s Instagram describes it as a contemporary transcendent space, which is attracting guests and creatives from near and far.

“The idea behind it has always been about experience,” Kepple explains. “What does someone experience when they walk in?”

Recently, The Sanctum has been inhabited by different groups of artists that include musicians, photographers, and film production crews.

“It’s not the same bands coming, or the same photographers, and it’s definitely not the same film crews but there’s a sense of a gravitational pull for creatives. It’s a collective of people coming together, understanding what the space is and what we want it to be,” says Kepple. “It continues to be very validating for us when we have people reach out to achieve their own creative vision.”

Kepple is a psychologist who is part of a generation of El Pasoans who left the Sun City for graduate and postgraduate education with a plan to return home and give back to the community.

“I knew I wanted to come back to El Paso. It was a pretty easy decision for me being that my daughter is still here -- very easy decision. For a long time what happened was you grow up and then you move away, the brain drain. “But it’s nice to see that people are coming back and taking pride in this city.”

The growth of the community is visible from The Sanctum’s front patio, with clear views of the continued construction downtown and on Texas, the development of new restaurants and nearby businesses, and renovations being done to other nearby homes.

“El Paso really is a gem in the desert,” says Kepple. “It’s been nice that The Sanctum has been a place for people to settle down and relax, and discover a peaceful little piece of El Paso.”