Djerassi Resident Artists Program

If you can wrangle your way into visiting, or better, being a resident artist, don’t hesitate. They are more open than ever with regular tours and programs. My friends live next door, so we wander on their personal guided tour when I visit. Bear Gulch Road is very narrow, drive very slowly. It’s also a fire hazard area as is much of Cali, so treat it accordingly.
The Foundation specializes in site-​specific art, including performance made on the land. There are underground earth works, mirrors installed in the forest, a fallen tree, realistically fabricated in metal. The work is focused on the brainy and concept-​driven branch of the art world, not pretty pictures. It’s a treasure; the California landscape and redwoods there are a pretty epic setting demanding artists’ response.
The Foundation is project of a Stanford professor who invented the birth control pill. Cool.

I’ve only recently found out about this place. It was mentioned in the SJ Mercury Newspaper as a place where artists can stay & do whatever they want there. Some even create artwork for Djerassi and then they invite the public to view the art.
My friend A. made reservations. They only have 120 spots for the summer/​fall series where they only take phone reservations for their popular FREE 2-​mile hike (from 10:30−1p).
Our date was Sun 7÷20÷08 and they said to be at 2325 Bear Gulch Rd West at 9:45am. We waited & waited some more, they finally met us as 10:10am.
They then check to see if you have reservations & make sure everyone shows up in your party. Then you have to fill out a release form I think. I just signed it without reading it.
Then you get in your car & follow them up the road. It’s a long narrow road enough for 1 car only. Finally get to the Artists’ Barn where there are 3 bathrooms for everyone to use. Chris, one of the guides, made sure everyone at the barn had clothes on. That’s weird to me.
The hike is really slow with lots of stopping to see the different artwork. Some moderate stretches of uphill, but mostly flat.
I liked City of Salt by Nicholas Kahn, 2001 – 2002
David Nash-​charred sphere, pyramid, cube in redwood stumps, 1989
John Roloff-​Vanishing Ship, 1989
Roland Mayer-​Dialog, 2004
Supposedly there are 35 sculptures/​art pieces. We didn’t see them all.
One pit-​toilet at nearly the end of the hike.
Annual Open House, this yr: Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 from 1−4p. It’s $ 25pp by reservation only. Have some self-​guided sculpture tours & some food by their Program Chef.
It was just ok for me. Maybe worth it to go once.

What a beautiful spot to escape to. I have a friend who works here, so I’ve been lucky enough to make unofficial (or comped) visits. Most recently I attended their open house, where they swing open their doors to guests and provide food, entertainment and unguided tours of their grounds/​sculpture gardens.
The view from up here is spectacular, and the art is a nice surprise amidst the landscape. I just wish I was important enough in the art community to live here for a month. :)

From the website:
«The mission of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by providing uninterrupted time for work, reflection, and collegial interaction in a setting of great natural beauty, and to preserve the land on which the Program is situated.
Each year dozens of artists from across the United States, and many from around the world, travel to the open hillsides and deep redwood forests of SMIP Ranch to take inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and seek refuge from the distractions of the outside world. While in residence, the artists work in peaceful isolation within a supportive community of fellow artists and Program staff, and thrive on the intellectual stimulation and collegial interaction that comes from living in this close-​knit community.»
It is truly an amazing property and only open to the public at select times. We went on a Director’s sculpture tour which takes about 4.5 hours and shows you only a small portion of the 580 acre property. Led by the director of the program, it’s $ 40 a head but is really worth it. It’s also a fairly strenuous hike with a nice picnic stop in the middle, pack a good lunch and water. And wear hiking boots: the terrain is wet, grassy, uneven and sometimes muddy. There is a portajohn at the picnic stop but otherwise it’s all nature.
Over 40 sculptures by the resident artists have been installed in the landscape and it is fascinating to discover them in this gorgeous natural setting. Other less comprehensive tours are available which are free, led by program staff, and are only 2.5 hours long but I am really glad we did this one. They also have an open house in July when the artists’ studios are open to the public and a fundraiser in the fall. So go to
and reserve a tour if they have any spots left. It is an amazing resource in the Bay Area that I think few people take the time to explore. Now that we are on the mailing list we will definitely be going back.