James Hubbell’s Vision for Ilan-Lael Foundation Remains Strongly Rooted in New Chapter

The Ilan-Lael Foundation, an arts education nonprofit, has been busy celebrating the life of its late founder, renowned San Diego artist and architect James “Jim” Hubbell, who passed away in May at 92.

One of its most notable activities was the “James Hubbell: Architecture of Jubilation” exhibition at the San Diego Central Library, which drew over 9,000 visitors — an impressive turnout for a non-gallery space. 

“We all admired Jim’s creativity and talent, but also the way he moved through the world, which was sharing his gifts so freely with everyone,” Ilan-Lael’s longtime Executive Director Marianne Gerdes said. 

Hubbell was not a traditional artist in the sense of asking people to admire his work from afar. His approach was collaborative, inviting individuals, many of whom never saw themselves as artists, to work alongside him at his studios near Julian.  

The 10-acre oak and chaparral-covered property houses the foundation, which has a mission to bridge the gap between artists and non-artists, helping people tap into their creativity to make a positive impact on the world.

“Jim believed creativity can be applied to more than just the arts,” Gerdes said. “It’s a wonderful problem-solving mechanism and something we all need more of as we navigate a rapidly changing world.”

When James and his wife, Anne, stepped back from daily operations in 2021, he continued to inspire the team and reassure them they were on the right path. 

“He’d ask for updates, break into a big smile and give you a fist bump,” Gerdes said. 

Jim empowered the foundation to be flexible and meet the community’s needs rather than become entrenched in delivering a particular program. 

“He encouraged us to keep our finger up to the wind of the world around us, ready to respond and offer help wherever we are best positioned to do so,” Gerdes said. 

One such program, “Healing the Healers,” was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers, exhausted and overwhelmed by the crisis, were invited to the Ilan-Lael property for restorative days of peace and creativity. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the foundation’s headquarters, participants engaged in art, shared their experiences in group therapy sessions and found solace in the environment that Hubbell and his team had cultivated for decades.

A current project, part of the “Watershed Explorers” program, brings city-based high school students to the countryside to learn about the environment and the role of water in shaping human settlement. The students are encouraged to disconnect from technology, engage with nature at Ilan-Lael and appreciate how art and architecture reflect the natural world around them.

Gerdes said the foundation focuses on preserving Hubbell’s artistic legacy and expanding its mission to meet the needs of future generations. The nonprofit has inherited Hubbell Studios, and plans are to transform it into a craft hub that will serve as a center for education in various artistic mediums.

“Many successful artists came out of Hubbell studios,” Gerdes said. “We want to carry that tradition forward using our studios to educate and train, inspire and continue to make beautiful art in the vein of what Jim created.” 

The foundation is committed to maintaining the Ilan-Lael property’s 14 handbuilt architectural structures — each a work of art. A major restoration campaign is underway to preserve these buildings, which feature Hubbell’s signature stained glass windows, mosaics and hand-sculpted doors. The team is also reimagining outdoor spaces and revamping pathways, parking, outdoor classrooms and hiking trails to enrich the visitor experience.

As the Ilan-Lael Foundation moves into its next chapter, the team remains deeply connected to the values James Hubbell championed. 

With ongoing programs such as tours, workshops and recently launched Visiting Artist Program, the foundation is well-positioned to continue Hubbell’s legacy of making art accessible to all. 

“We’re finding our new way of being,” Gerdes said. “I’m sure Jim is smiling ear to ear.”

For information about Ilan-Lael Foundation’s programs and events, go to ilanlaelfoundation.org.