Sitting on top of the massive "Great Lawn" is an exquisite mansion, formally owned and built by Congressman James Duval Phelan in 1912. If the historic villa did not impress you already on your drive up, take a look around the grounds of this place, you will find a surprise in every corner. Some of the surprises are beautiful and some are down right strange, but they are all fascinating and the real characters that makes this place.
Welcome to Montalvo Arts Center.
"Congressman James Duval Phelan was a huge supporter for the arts. He would invite artists, writers, and musicians to come stay at his Villa while they work on their projects. A few of his guests consists of famous names such as, Ethel Barrymore, Mary PickFord, Jack London, & Edwin Markham. Before Phelan passed away, he requested his Villa to remain and used for the development of Art, Literature, Music and Architecture."
Looking around the grounds, you can see that Villa Montalvo, now formally known as, Montalvo Arts Center, has stayed true to its original esthetic.There are countless art pieces of all sizes scattered round the many gardens and venues. These pieces are known as, "Art on the Grounds" and can be viewed daily.
Here are a few of my favorites art pieces!
"Japanese Rock Garden Meets Pelanque"
by: Mary Ijichi
"From Within, So Without"
by: Ali Maschie-Messing
"Fountain of Life"
by: Kenny Scharf
"Broken Wing"
by: Cameron Hokensen
Also, three times a year, the Project Space Gallery showcases selected Artists' work, organized by the Lucas Artists Program. These exhibits can be viewed at certain times of the year on Thursdays thru Sundays. If you can only come on days that do not have a special exhibits, you are always free to roam along the rest of the area and view the many outdoor Art pieces.
(The outdoor artwork are also not permanent.)
RELATED POST: The Hiking Trails of Montalvo "Villa of the Arts" Center, Saratoga, CA
I love the fact that Montalvo has kept its integrity and esthetic over the 75-something years after the pasting of its father, James Duval Phelan. I am a huge lover of art...even though I don't understand a lot of it, but I have complete respect for those that have the vision and execution. The only thing I can do decently is draw cartoons, but I can relate with the struggling life of an artist, writer, and musician, being as a struggling writer myself, I really appreciate programs and organizations, as well as, individuals that support the creatives.
Happy Wandering, Alice.
Here are a few of my favorites art pieces!
"Japanese Rock Garden Meets Pelanque"
by: Mary Ijichi
"From Within, So Without"
by: Ali Maschie-Messing
"Fountain of Life"
by: Kenny Scharf
"Broken Wing"
by: Cameron Hokensen
Also, three times a year, the Project Space Gallery showcases selected Artists' work, organized by the Lucas Artists Program. These exhibits can be viewed at certain times of the year on Thursdays thru Sundays. If you can only come on days that do not have a special exhibits, you are always free to roam along the rest of the area and view the many outdoor Art pieces.
(The outdoor artwork are also not permanent.)
RELATED POST: The Hiking Trails of Montalvo "Villa of the Arts" Center, Saratoga, CA
I love the fact that Montalvo has kept its integrity and esthetic over the 75-something years after the pasting of its father, James Duval Phelan. I am a huge lover of art...even though I don't understand a lot of it, but I have complete respect for those that have the vision and execution. The only thing I can do decently is draw cartoons, but I can relate with the struggling life of an artist, writer, and musician, being as a struggling writer myself, I really appreciate programs and organizations, as well as, individuals that support the creatives.
Happy Wandering, Alice.
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