"We get to share Montalvo with a lot of the community for its parks and concerts, but we wanted an opportunity to share all of the arts offered here to the community," says Katy Rees, public relations manager for Montalvo. "We wanted people to rediscover Montalvo. We wanted to have the opportunity to invite the public so they can discover new things in our programs."

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 18, guests will be able to see the new art installation by environmental sculptor Herb Parker, take nature hikes with park rangers, and listen to the Saratoga High School Chamber Music Quartet and Buchser Middle School Jazz Band. Of particular significance will be the chance to see the inside of the villa, which is normally closed to the public, and a first glance at the completely remodeled artist residency complex.

"This is a really big event," says Gordon Knox, the newly appointed director of Montalvo's artist residency program.

The residency program was halted three years ago in order to make room for the design and construction of a new set of state-of-the-art studios, specifically tailored to several artistic mediums, such as painting, writing, and composing.

"This will be on a different level, a mega-different level," Knox says. "The facilities are great, and will be able to service first-rate artists. We are looking for the program to become a magnet for international talent. A residency program can make great contributions to a community by bringing in extraordinary talented minds from all parts of the world."

Given Montalvo's long-standing reputation, Knox believes it will easily attract the best and brightest to the new facilities.

"Montalvo stands out head and shoulders, because as far as I know, it is the most comprehensive, intelligently designed facility for this purpose anywhere in the world," he says.

The project was a tremendous investment, costing $10.5 million and involving dozens of design professionals. "With the excellence of facilities, selection process for artists, and the quality of the artists who will be there, this will quite definitely create a place that puts Montalvo in the forefront of international residency programs," Knox says.

This will be the only chance the public has to see the recently completed complex, as the first batch of artists will be moving in for their three-month stay in April 2004.

Knox will lead the tours through the complex and will give a presentation at noon regarding the open house and residency program.

"The open house is about the whole institution and the full diversity of services and opportunities that we provide," he says. "It is mostly a giant recognition and thank-you to the community we serve, and an effort to reacquaint people and re-excite people with the opportunities we offer."

To wind down the day, a special performance will be held by the San Jose Youth Symphony and the Asia-America Youth Honor Orchestra at 7 p.m. at the Carriage House. Tickets are $25 and $30, available at www.villamontalvo.org.

For guests wanting an even bigger taste of the artist residency facilities, a special preview gala will be held the day before the open house, at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17. For $1,000 per couple, the evening features a cocktail reception and tour of the studios with jazz pianist and composer David Benoit, followed by a gourmet dinner in the villa. A premier Access ticket for $5,000 per couple is also available, allowing an exclusive few to attend a special performance by David Benoit and stay overnight in one of the artist studios.

Parking for the Montalvo Open House will be available at West Valley College, located at 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. Parking and shuttle service to Montalvo is free. For more information, visit http://www.villamontalvo.org or call 408.961.5800.