Sausalito Artists Colony
We’ve often been referred to in the press and in travel books as having an artists community, and visitors here often ask where that “Sausalito Artists Colony” could be found. Local cartoonist Phil Frank even created a character named Arthur “Art” Colony after hearing the phrase repeated so many times!
What is the reality? Art and artists permeate much of Sausalito, and there is no one spot that you can point to and say “That’s it.” Elements of the Sausalito Artists Colony are scattered all over town.
That said, here are some of the spots in Sausalito that are the most visible centers:
ICB Artists Association — (See video above.) This group of over 100 practicing artists work in the ICB Building, a converted World War II shipyard building in northern Sausalito. Many artists have open studio hours where you can come and see their work, and others will gladly open their studio if you call ahead.
10 Liberty Ship Way — Although it is not as large as the ICB, this building in the Marinship area houses many artists’ studios. Other small groups are also located in this neighborhood.
Studio 333 — A smaller collection of artists at 333 Caledonia St. Like the ICB, you can call ahead to confirm they’re available to show their work.
Sausalito Art Galleries — There are a wide range of galleries in Sausalito, offering works of art in all kinds of media and styles. You can find everything from inexpensive prints to very expensive paintings by renowned artists. In particular, local artists are featured at Gallery 111 (from the ICB Artists Association), at Studio 333, and the artist-owned Tapia Art Gallery.
Sausalito Floating Homes Community — There is a false assumption that all the artists in Sausalito live in houseboats, and that most of the people living in houseboats are artists. Although there are pockets of artists on some of the docks like Galilee Harbor, Artists of Issaquah and others, people from many other walks of life also live in our floating home community. Some of our best known local artists live in the hills of Sausalito rather than on houseboats.
If you’re interested in how Sausalito came to be known as an artists community, check out the Sausalito Historical Society.
