Story and Photography by Visiting Artist Fellow, Marshall Williams I’m standing in the kitchen with my camera set on a tripod. Luis Garcia and I have scouted out the shots we hope to make. A car pulls up, and before long I am being introduced to Anne Hubbell, her kind blue eyes set off by…
A short visit to the home and studio of James Hubbell reveals the true nature of this historic site; amidst the rhythmic strike of metal, the roar of the forge, and the sharp whine of the table saw, it is unmistakably a living art space. For four consecutive years the Ilan-Lael Foundation has invited San…
Star Volunteer and Ambassador Includes ILF in Her Will By Rhi Burmeister Many of you in the Ilan-Lael community have had the pleasure of meeting Joyce Howard. Since 2022, Joyce has been an exceptionally dedicated and active docent at Ilan-Lael, sharing the vision and history of the foundation with visitors. She isn’t just a volunteer;…
By Peter Jensen, Ilan-Lael Board Member New to San Diego 45 years ago, I was writing about interesting houses for a local magazine. In the first months after my arrival, I kept hearing the same thing: “Have you been out to Jim Hubbell’s place? You must go! You just must!” “Out” meant the tree-bearded hills…
To say we have an incredible team at Ilan-Lael would be a terrible understatement. It’s more accurate to say we have a magical team that can move mountains – of art for exhibition – and build bridges – of everlasting impact and connection. Ilan-Lael’s staff has grown to 10 people to accomplish the great projects…
By Rhiannon Burmeister, Visiting Artist Liaison and Communications Coordinator If you’ve spent time in San Diego, you’ve become well acquainted with James Hubbell’s significant touch on the region. His work provides elegance and beauty to houses of worship, whimsy to nature trails and parks, and a touch of magic to private homes. The home of…
What truly set this year’s Harvest Moon celebration apart was the vibrant atmosphere and the seamless blend of old traditions with fresh, exciting additions. Guests were thrilled to mingle, forging new connections and delighting in the chance to reminisce and catch up with cherished friends and neighbors. The embrace of the Foundation’s newly renovated plaza…
The Ilan-Lael Foundation is proud to announce its 2025 Visiting Artist Program, which builds upon the success of the inaugural 2024 program and honors the visionary spirit of founder James Hubbell.Eight immensely talented and prominent artists have agreed to be Ilan-Lael’s Visiting Artists for 2025. This program is designed to welcome artists to the property…
The Hubbell/Ilan-Lael/Colegio ConnectionArt, music, movement, and architecture have changed the way a community sees itself. Christine Brady, James Hubbell, and a merry band of volunteers prove it so! By Marianne Gerdes The Colegio La Esperanza campus in Tijuana buzzes with activity on a sunny Saturday morning. Brassy trumpets, vibrant violins, and strumming guitars fill the…
James Hubbell has enjoyed the support of fans and collectors throughout the years. But few have promoted him as generously as Elizabeth Van Hunnick. Elizabeth and her husband Rudy, a long-time board member of the Oceanside Museum of Art, have been avid Hubbell supporters and came to know of him through their shared support for…
The Photography of James Hubbell By Laurel Costa, ArchivistPhotos by James Hubbell “Recent discoveries in the Ilan-Lael archive reveal a trove of photographs taken by James himself.” The world knows James Hubbell as a man of many talents: prolific poet, philosopher, sculptor, painter, designer, and builder. Not surprisingly, he was also a talented photographer….
David Bardwick is the owner of David Alan Collection in Solana Beach and a long time supporter and friend of Ilan-Lael Foundation. Make sure to read the first part of our series “A Life Centered On Beauty: Part 1” What about James Hubbell and his works speaks to you? Jim and I always felt a…
Take my heart. Make it a gate. Open it wide To all the world. —JTH The presence of the Emerald Gate seems to rest in the background of my consciousness. One only partially grasps the personal journey into a new world, which often requires a painful death of parts of oneself and one’s beliefs. I…
Polished tree trunks stretch 15 feet or more toward the rafters. Kimonos hang in rows of regal splendor. Rustic jewelry glimmers from vitrines and display shelves. Ancient and new Balinese artworks crowd the floor, showing astonishing craftsmanship as well as a spiritual and devotional sensitivity rarely seen in an industrialized, tech-heavy world. Most dominant: dozens…
Bert Hubbell sent letters to my grandfather James and my uncles Drew, Torrey, Brennan, and Lauren for many years (Drew is my father). Not too long ago my brother Connor wrote to our great uncle that he wanted to visit someday. Bert took that to heart and held Connor to it. “When are you coming,…
James Hubbell and his brother, nicknamed Bert, shared a remarkably special connection. This spring they both left the earth within weeks of each other, reconnecting in the cosmos. They lived on opposite sides of the vast Pacific Ocean: James in Santa Ysabel and Bert and his wife Hiroko in an extraordinarily beautiful hand-built home in…
The early years… Harry Hubbell, whose family nickname was “Bert,” was James T. Hubbell’s brother. In 1952 Bert had an opportunity to travel to Africa with Charles Darwin’s great grandson, Quentin Keynes. Both young men were Darwinesque adventurers. After returning home, Bert was drafted into the Army and served until 1955 in a non-combatant role…
The Ilan Lael Foundation is proud to announce its inaugural Visiting Artist Program, honoring the visionary spirit of James Hubbell. This program invites established visual artists from the San Diego region to immerse themselves in the unique environment of Ilan-Lael. Inspired by the captivating beauty of the Santa Ysabel landscape and James Hubbell’s philosophy of…
Harvest Moon was an amazing success! The evening was alive with celebration as we gathered with friends for Ilan-Lael’s annual Harvest Moon Dinner—sipping local wines and beers, experiencing art created by some of the areas most acomplished artists, listing to poetry and live music, and feasting on a delicious pallea dinner. Low clouds obsured the…
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE 3RD ANNUAL PRP FRIENDSHIP WALK and TRIBUTE to JAMES HUBBELL Sunny skies and a sparkling San Diego Bay welcomed more than 300 people Saturday, August 24, 2024, on a 1-mile “Friendship Walk” honoring the life and legacy of artist James Hubbell. Celebrants started at the Pacific Portal gazebo on Shelter…
We’ve lost a great friend: James T. Hubbell, a generous creative talent, and an extraordinary man. He died peacefully in Chula Vista, California, on May 17th at the age of 92 with wife Anne and family members by his side. James Hubbell was a talented artist and craftsman, a passionate naturalist, a devoted friend,…