Ilan-Lael Foundation

ABOUT

10 acres of oak woodlands near Julian, California, the Ilan-Lael compound encompasses living quarters, studio and gallery spaces, gardens and an art center for the Ilan-Lael Foundation. Thirteen structures appear to grow out of the earth in their organic forms, each filled with colorful mosaic designs flowing across walls and floors. Stained-glass windows amplify sunlight, washing walls and floors with rainbows of color. Hand-crafted door handles, hinges, and cabinet drawer pulls crafted of metal and wood burls invite a lingering touch.

SPECIAL RESOURCES

_{James Hubbell in Studio posing for La Times article Photo credit: ©Vince Compagnone, 1984.}

“Often when I take people around our home, I am overwhelmed by there being so much, ten buildings, and ask myself, “What was I thinking?” I guess I never asked that while building them. Of course I was going to have to take care of them. The buildings developed over time when I had less work but had the energy. Besides, I love building. In keeping with our story, I am guiding and inviting guests to a world where nature and art, and human vision are held in equal respect.

One of my fondest desires is that Ilan-Lael can also be a place where people that don’t necessarily like each other can talk, and with the help of nature and this art environment can find those threads that help us work together. I want Ilan-Lael to be a quiet, reflective place but also to be put to work. I am convinced that places can change things, not just people.”

— James T. Hubbell

James T. Hubbell (1931– 2024)

James T. Hubbell was an artist and craftsman, a passionate naturalist, and collaborative mentor. He was born in Mineola, New York, the son of Julia Jones and James Hubbell Sr. and brother to Harry (Bert) and sister Roberleigh. He attended 13 schools throughout childhood, including a military academy and finishing school at Choate Rosemary Hall. He studied at Whitney Art School in New York and later at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield, Michigan, where he majored in sculpture. His wide-ranging creative legacy is famously expressed in his hand-built family home, Ilan-Lael, on an oak and boulder covered hilltop in Santa Ysabel, California. Notable works include his Pacific Rim Park project, Sea Ranch Chapel in Sonoma County, CA, Colegio La Esperanza in Tijuana, MX, public art pieces on the grounds of Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa in Tecate, Baja California, MX.

_{Ceramic Maquette for Pacific Spirit/ Sea Goddess, 1975 by James Hubbell Photo credit:©. Laurel Costa, 2024.}

_{The Foundation Center serves the public through tours, classes, meetings, events, and performances each year. Photo©John Durant, courtesy Ilan-Lael Foundation.}

_{Northern facing view of the pool and the master bedroom. Photo credit: ©Chris Henry, 2012.}

LEARN MORE

In 1958, James Hubbell married Anne Stewart, and together they embarked on building a one-room stone cabin with their own hands in Santa Ysabel, California. This primitive beginning eventually grew into a compound of 14 separate buildings with flowing organic shapes. Throughout his long career, Hubbell explored concepts in organic architecture and design that were a unique expression of San Diego. Thousands of visitors made the pilgrimage to experience the flowing shapes of Ilan-Lael’s buildings, constructed of stones pulled up from the land which it sits, wood milled locally in Julian, and adobe fired in Escondido CA and Tecate, MX.

James often said his life was a series of small encounters that led to great opportunities. His most important professional contact came in San Diego with residential architect Sim Bruce Richards, who had been a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West. James’s mother recruited Richards to remodel The Wishing Well. The Hotel became the first significant collaboration between Hubbell and Richards. Pleased with James’s designs, Richards began including James’s artworks in his home designs. This partnership lasted over 25 years and James credits Richards for helping launch the success of Hubbell Studios.

James became a member of Creating Civic Community “C-3”, Allied Craftsmen, and other art organizations that introduced him to luminaries in San Diego’s art and architecture community including architects Kendrick Bangs Kellogg and Lloyd Ruocco, critic James Britton, artists Malcolm Leland, Arline Fisch, and Toza and Ruth Radakovich, and arts patron Elizabeth Marshall.

James and Anne started their non-profit Ilan-Lael Foundation in 1983 to further their interest in bringing art to the masses and introducing non-artists to art-making opportunities. He launched this endeavor via a publication, Hidden Leaves, a magazine that commented on the livability of fast-growing cities, with a focus on San Diego. James was part of a chorus of voices who weighed in on San Diego’s rampant development at the expense of open space, nature, pedestrian safety, and many other ills tied to incomplete or outright poor planning.

Throughout his career Hubbell was a hands-on project leader, and a collaborative mentor. An inspiring and capable teacher, he invited students to dive head-first into the journey of art and embrace the mysteries of the process. By working with Hubbell, many artists say that they found their own creative voice and courage to devote their lives to making art.