Dorland is a retreat for working artists, where they can focus on their art work in solitude without distraction.
In the hills beyond Temecula an artistic couple, Ellen and Robert Dorland, opened their home to artist friends who would come visit for a season, and help build darling little residences on a peice of oakfilled property that would later be known as Dorland Artist Colony. It eventually became a non-profit retreat full of funky cabins built peice by peice by the actual artist that stayed their and volunteers who fell in love with the little get away near Southern California Wine Country. Eventually there were 10 homes that were rented out to writers, composers, and other artists. In 2004 a fire burnt all the structures to the ground.
Now an artist in residence doubles as caretaker, being a general handyman and grounds keeper, to the lush and beautiful grounds, strictly following guildlnes set by the Nature Conservacy that now owns the land. Dorland’s board used the insurance money to rebuild some brand new artists residences. Now a couple of quaint but very comfortable cabins stand on hill peaks with gorgeous 360 views. The cabins are completely furnished and outfitted with a full kitchen, linens, cooking untensils and even little extras like a drop cloth for painting over and wood burning stoves for warm on the cooler nights. There are hiking paths up to a reed filled pond and up to a inspiration point that will really take your breath away. An artist can stay there for a residency of up to three months only having to leave every week or two for a short jaunt into town for groceries and laundry.
Dorland sounds like it would be too expensive for an artist of limited means but it is actually quite reasonable. A weeks residence is currently just $250 a week. Residency is by application, and you can request an applicatioon by contacting manager Jill Roberts at 951-302-3837.
Princess and the pea on an artist budget 