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09/03/2009: "Architect Hubbell In FH Friday"

The SJI Museum of Art and Sculpture Park will feature Artist and Organic Architect James Hubbell for the “Art as a Voice” Series at the Community Theatre on Friday, September 4 at 7:30.

Mr. Hubbell has developed projects all over the world for more than 40 years, creating places that heal the soul and renew the spirit. He is the founder and principal of the Ilan Lael Foundation, whose mission is to integrate nature-centered art and architecture in environmentally friendly private and public spaces.



Hubbell has worked throughout the United States and internationally in developing projects that harmonize the beauty of art with the functionality of architecture.

At the Friday evening event, Hubbell will share how he seeks to integrate the arts, nature and beauty into the life of individuals and communities through work in sculpture, stained glass, and watercolor. He has inspired artists and others toward community activism in creating organic solutions, and has requested that IMA set up sessions on San Juan Island for him to meet with artists and community members who are interested in creating beauty, renewing spirits, and providing places and spaces that celebrate life.

His emphasis has always been upon the promotion of environmental issues with an emphasis on sustainable building materials, so Island contractors and builders will find Hubbell stimulating, as well as artists and architects.

The Pacific Portal at Shelter Island developed in partnership with the Port of San Diego and Point Loma Rotary Club, as well as the Coronado City Hall and Community Center Fountain and the Crestridge Econogical Preserve near El Cajon, California are just three examples of his work with communities and artists and builders.

Over the past fifty years he has shared his inspiring vision of the spirit of nature made tangible in glass, wood, metal, concrete, and stone, in homes, schools, gardens, pavilions, nature centers and peace parks around the globe.
He began with architectural students from Mexico and the United States to create a park for what would become the first of many in what James refers to as his “Pearls of the Pacific Rim”.

From this project, one architectural student from Mexico and six students from the United States went to Vladivostok Russia. Twelve Russian architectural students then designed and built an amazing community project and amphitheatre in 21 days.

The next project took place in China with Mexican, US, Russian and Chinese architectural students. In May of this year, they all met in the Philippines to complete a Hubbell Project there. There is a plan for a project in North Korea and another in Perth, Australia.

San Juan Island could possibly be a partner in this vision. Whether, stained glass, for which he is world renowned, to metal, stone, clay, watercolor, or buildings or poetry, James is said to understand the language of each and creates with each medium in it’s best voice.