Hubbell And Hubbell - Ilan Lael Foundation

The Cedar Fire 2003

Ilan-Lael Rises After the Fire

On October 29, 2003, fire destroyed the home and art studio of James and Anne Hubbell. As the fires raged through San Diego, Jim and Anne returned from a New York trip to find their life's work in the path of the fire. Amidst confusion and panic, they evacuated taking with them a few personal belongings as well as Jim's watercolors and a few smaller art pieces but leaving behind much that was dear to the artist and his family. Within days Jim returned to the property only to find a burnt hilltop and the bulk of their life in ashes. The fires destroyed the Hubbell living house and bedroom, office, big studio and all household items. Additionally, 300-400 sculptures, windows, paintings and models burned as well as the tools that made them. Within a matter of hours, an amazing inferno incinerated one of San Diego's most unique places of artistic and natural beauty.

There was no insurance. With the area's high fire risk and the integral relationship of trees and shrubs to the Hubbell buildings, the property was difficult to insure. The costly premiums seemed better spent gathering students and fostering community with art and a peaceful spirit.

Daunted but not devastated, Jim and Anne have faced this loss with faith, awe, and humility. They are rebuilding this place that has been and will continue to be a center for trust, balance, and beauty. The Ilan-Lael Foundation is the vehicle to do this, and it needs to happen now.
James Hubbell's life's work has been about bridging diversity and making dreams into reality. It is time now to make our dream of having the Ilan-Lael properties become a living link between visions and realities.

The primary concentration of our efforts is to explore the building of holistic and humane visions for our world, to integrate art and life through the building of parks and public places, and to work to bring man's inner and outer world into harmony with the changing rhythm of our times.

To achieve our mission the spirit and integrity of the natural environment will be maintained and enhanced, the studio will be available to visiting artists and classes, and the property will function as a gathering place for those who wish to work for beauty and learn together.

The Foundation continue to work with individuals and organizations in partnership to build community and a shared sense of belonging to the earth. We feel that reciprocity and mutually beneficial effort can take us much further toward our goals than any separate effort. To this end, we seek and remain open to new contacts and potential partnerships in other communities.

At this stage in the transfer of the home and studios to the Foundation, the Board is exploring new needs and opportunities as well as defining an organizational structure by which the Foundation can accomplish its goals. With a sound structure and clear purpose, Ilan-Lael can be a permanent sanctuary for art, fostering beauty and peace-making in this uniquely nurturing environment.

For more information about the Foundation see the Ilan-Lael Foundation section and the What’s New page for updates on events.

You Can Help

"How can I help?"

Many people are asking, “How can I help?” At a time like this, your desire to reach out and do something brings immeasurable comfort to the Hubbell family, and your efforts will help renew and sustain the vision of beauty James celebrates with his art and architecture.

This is our opportunity to walk between heaven and earth and show that we can all create a better world than the microcosm that was just destroyed. James and Anne now want to transition the compound, its purpose, and all rebuilding efforts to the Ilan-Lael Foundation.

James and Anne Hubbell started the Ilan-Lael Foundation twenty years ago as a 501( C ) 3 tax-exempt entity to fund the artistically educational efforts which have always inspired their lives and work. James has outlined this transition in Visions for Ilan-Lael Foundation.

Please read below for how you can help by contributing financially, holding a grass roots fundraiser, or volunteering.

On behalf of everyone involved, we thank you.

Financial Contributions

James and Anne have been touched by the generosity of many who have already given of themselves in various ways.

The Foundation’s goal is to raise $2 million to build the center as well as additional funds to begin to endow it for the future in order to sustain it as a sanctuary for all forms of creativity. Anne and James would live as artists in residence and for their time hold it in trust for those who come after. We are already planning an endless work party of jubilation from this chaos, and your financial contribution will help to buy a hammer, a new window, or part of a roof. From these interconnected pieces, unique and beautiful in themselves, we will make a living mosaic.

The Foundation requests and greatly appreciates your financial contribution to Ilan-Lael at this time. Donations to the Ilan-Lael Foundation are tax-deductible.

You can make a donation through PayPal by clicking the button below.

Or by mail. Please make checks out to Ilan-Lael Foundation and send to

Ilan-Lael Foundation
P.O. Box 1221
Julian, CA 92036

The Ilan-Lael Foundation was established to integrate art, nature and beauty in the human environment. Ilan-Lael is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization under the internal revenue code (taxpayer ID# 95-382-6760).

Host a fundraiser

To help with the financial needs of rebuilding the structures and creating the Ilan-Lael Foundation center, you could host a mini-fundraiser like a wine and cheese event, dinner party or life drawing session. Of course there are many forms this could take, so we welcome your fundraising initiative and inspiration! By giving of your time and effort you will not only be helping financially, but you will also be sharing the art, beauty and community vision of James and Anne Hubbell. Please contact Olivia Hancock at (619) 231-0446 or Olivia@hubbellandhubbell.com before planning an event, or if you have any ideas or suggestions.

A Special Request from James

Over the years we tried to keep copies of all publications related to any aspect of the work of James Hubbell, the work of Ilan-Lael, and the life of James and Anne Hubbell. Unfortunately, most of that was lost. If you have either an extra original or photocopies that you could spare, we would appreciate the donation and could begin to rebuild our historical library. For a list of documentaries, videos, and selected publications, please visit the Who We Are section.

Thanks.

Fire Imagery
	Between Heaven and Earth A seven minute video segment from the PBS show, Full Focus is Marianne Gerdes' post-fire follow up to Eye Of The Beholder, a full length documentary on Jim and the studio released in September 2002. Part 1 High speed connection (cable, DSL) Low speed Connection (phone modem) Part 2 High speed connection (cable, DSL) Low speed Connection (phone modem) You need Windows Media Player to view these videos. If you don't have it you can get the latest version of it here, it's free and easy.
Post Fire Pictures These pictures were taken about a week after the fire.
Landscape watercolors Since the fires the transformed landscape has inspired Jim to create these watercolors which he calls his Fire Series. These images are also available for purchase as notecards and in the book The Shadow Side Of The Moon.




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