Thanks to a campaign led by some local supporters at Villa Montalvo, contemporary artists from around the globe will soon have a similar place where they can focus on their works in the solitude of their own temporary home.

By as early as Spring 2004, artists of all types may have the opportunity to live in the cottages at Villa Montalvo's Orchard for the Artists, part of the artist residency program that began in 1939 and is currently being revamped through a campaign titled Momentum Montalvo.

"This will be an ideal meeting place for our next generation of serious and disciplined artists," said Gordon Knox, the director of the artist residency program. "It will encourage dialogue and enable the movement of ideas from one type of artist to another. It's set up to allow people to network and possibly form collaborations with one another. For instance, a composer may get inspiration for a new song from talking with a novelist, or a writer may want to work with a painter."

Knox added that the purpose of the program is to allow artists to focus on the creative process, not on the product itself.

In addition to the three existing cottages, which have been used by artists in the past but were converted into conference rooms for staff, there will be 10 newly built live-in and work studios, with each one specifically designed to fit the needs of the artist. There are two structures with walls that can be rearranged, ideal for musicians who constantly need to adjust and monitor the acoustics of the room. Farther up the hill are cottages reserved for visual artists working with large canvasses or mural-sized paintings. These cottages are built with moveable panels: the panels are seated in barn-door tracks, allowing the artist to slide them over walls and windows. Several feet away are buildings where writers could lookthrough a window out across tree-laden hills while completing a book.

Each room will be complete with furniture and kitchen appliances, appropriate for times when the artist prefers to be alone, but tenants could get meals and mingle with neighbors in the common dining area, which will also include a multimedia library and a laundry facility.

According to Capital Campaign Associate Laura Guerrero, the idea of reviving the program—the third oldest in the U.S.—started in the early 1990s, and fundraising efforts began shortly thereafter. Things started kicking into high gear approximately one year ago when the campaign was created.

"Things are picking up and coming together very nicely," Guerrero said. "We've been getting a lot of support from the community."

The campaign started out with a goal of raising $9.5 million, but has increased the goal to $10.5 million due to additional start-up and operational costs, according to Ann Dabovich, director of development for Montalvo. The campaign is currently at the $8.8 million fundraising mark.

"Most of the donations have come from private donors, such as concert-goers and nonprofit organizations," Dabovich said.

To help reach the goal, board members created a tile orchard in June 2003 as a component of the fundraising efforts. In return for monetary contributions, supporters of the arts will have their names engraved on either a plaque or a tile, which will be part of a wall to be displayed in the park area adjacent to the cottages.

"This is a great way for remembering and recognizing those who have been involved with the program," Dabovich said. "It's our way of saying thank you."

Since the tile orchard was started, approximately 36 tiles and plaques have been sold, contributing close to $20,000 to the pot. One of the tiles will belong to David Sedaris, author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and a guest performer at Montalvo.

The money raised will allow artists, who will be selected by a group of committee members, to live and work in the cottages at no charge.

For more information about the program or to purchase a tile, go to http://www.villamontalvo.org.