L.A.'s own Black Flamingo visited us at Eliphante this month. Here's some of what band member Kimi Recor had to say on her blog:
"[W]e went to the most magical place in the world. Eliphante.

Eliphante is an artistic village built by primarily by Michael Kahn & Leda Livant Kahn over a span of 30 years. It’s filled with magic, art installations, and its basically where we all want to move and stay forever." +>-

Even more exciting is that her blog is often picked up by AOL's StyleList, a web presence that covers celebrity style.

Visit Emtronica.com or Verbobala.com for more awesomeness!

This amazing site-specific art form is the 20-plus year work of Michael Kahn and Leda Livant along with scores of friends who, over the years, gathered and recycled just about anything at all to construct the forms, structures, grottos, caves, galleries, living pods and gardens that comprise the Southwest's most stunning site-specific art installation.

The non-profit's caretakers, Tracy and Ryan, are working with Yavapai County to acquire permits to allow the public access; meanwhile, they work on funding to secure the land and preserve the site. Originally "leased" to Michael and Leda, the 3-plus acres on Oak Creek became home and sanctuary to the artists, who lovingly worked the landscape in a manner reminiscent of Simon Rodia's Watts Towers in Los Angeles.

Driving into the site and onto the grounds of Eliphante is surreal - the Oak Creek must first be forded, and then you walk onto softly-rolling hillocks of moss - or is that some desert grass? No, it's the much more prosaic "astro turf" that blankets the entire site, forming a pseudo-lush Alice's Wonderland playground.

The various buildings on the site are called HippoDome, Eliphante and Pipe Dreams, all surrounded by freeform sculptural works, ponds, out buildings, sinuous walls, benches, swings, lights, and pathways. A charming story-tellers nook, a mini amphitheater of stones and tiered astro-turf plinths, is announced by a playful shovel-cum-signpost.

Experiencing the partly-underground spaces is otherworldly - chilly, quiet and infused with a celestial light from the stained glass, soft burlap folds and refractive mylar overhead. Walls are obsessively-detailed friezes of mosaic, marbles, glass, stones, wood blocks, mirrors and branches. Passages wind back on themselves. Doors are hidden, surprises abundant.

The eclectic history and cultural significance of Eliphante have elevated Cornville to the unlikely status of art Mecca.

~ Jacques Laliberté

Source: http://poprocketpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=259

Eliphante is a place of unusual art and magical atmosphere hand built over 30 years by Michael Kahn and Leda Livant-Kahn.

We envision the educating, encouraging, supporting, empowering and enlivening the wellbeing and creativity of those who experience it.

Our mission is to purchase the land, preserve the artistic structures, offer creative workshops and provide educational opportunities in imaginative, expressive, resilient living.

On-going Goals and Objectives:
•    Repair existing buildings
- replace mud mortar with cement mortar
- replace rotted wood supporting elements with new
- replace materials of roof structures
- clean out rodent nests and install rodent-proof screens at potential entrances to roof and wall spaces
- insulate walls and roofs
- replace electric and plumbing elements as needed
- install weatherproofing to windows and doors and insect proofing to cracks everywhere
- improve air circulation

•    Create temporary Guest Housing for caretakers and artist programs (to enable more on-site help)
- insulate, rodent-proof, and insect-proof existing small rooms

•    Organize and address legal (county) issues (to enable public events on-site)

•    Purchase 3.26 acres (to gain stability)

•    Explore and attract free funding for community events

•    Educate and inspire public through tours and events
- prepare outreach materials
- organize events off-site
- pursue special events permit for occasional events on-site to enable public to view and participate in Eliphante atmosphere

•    Research "Food Forestry" and permaculture practices

          Relative to previous years, 2011 has brought significant progress in conceptualizing and organizing what Eliphante is for -- what we hope to achieve through it -- and how this might be accomplished. From a state of confusion involving dreams of spiritual community utilizing most of Crozier's property, but where there seemed to be no solid possibilities for moving forward, Eliphante has moved under new ownership (when a vineyard purchased it as part of a 47-acre parcel from Bob Crozier), and into the potential to become its own landowner through a lease-to-own agreement with the vineyard over three years. With a board of only five members, three of whom also constitute the "staff" (unpaid so far except in satisfaction), Eliphante has managed to clarify the vision and mission statement and the goals and objectives; to develop policies and agreements for caretakers, guests, and visitors; and to creatively work out ways and means to continue meeting the goals and objectives when zoning laws prevent us from holding events and activities on-site, or even inviting the public to visit.
         We are extremely fortunate to have these dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer staff and board members who are willing to give freely of their time and talent to keep our project on track. We are fortunate also to have additional volunteers who contribute significant time at our work parties and events, and donate in-kind items of need from time to time. We are looking forward to growing our membership of people who are inspired by and care about preserving the "sculptural" type of building embodied in Eliphante, and who care about sharing them with the general population in ways which inspire greater awareness and stewardship of their own environments. People with passion. People with vision. It is you who give Eliphante the energy and life to embody the dream in physical reality. Without you, we are nothing.
         A small fundraiser was held in the spring, which raised exactly the amount of money needed to apply for retro-permits for the already-existing buildings, so as to allow them to remain as is (and be repaired) without having to meet code requirements that did not exist during their construction. Two caretakers are also permitted to live on-site before the permits officially come through, and after they come through we expect to be able to allow a few more caretakers to stay on-site for maximum effectiveness. The county is working with us on this.
         A capital campaign is in the works to raise money for accomplishing some major repairs as well as amassing the capital for a minimum of 3.26 acres, and eventually at least twice that for expansion into developmental aspects down the road. Another fundraiser will also be happening soon, and more are in planning stages.
         Our conviction is that Eliphante is still important enough to you—our supporters—that you will be enthusiastic to pitch in and contribute volunteer hours for the wealth of tasks needing accomplishment, donations for the land-purchase fund, and outreach among your friends to also contribute what they can. The prospect of moving forward together to the next greater achievement is exciting, as is the strong spirit of community we believe will bring it about.

Alna Laurel continues to serve as President & Executive Director, offering her personal history with the founding artists, and bringing valuable organizational insights and artistic sensibilities to the board;

Charles Seiverd, executive director of Weavel Inc., publisher of "The Noise" magazine on local arts and news, treasurer of Flagstaff Artist's Coalition -- assists with valuable experience, advice and event insurance coverage for Eliphante fundraisers;  

Oouida Dorr, enthusiastic and capable arts and photography teacher at Mingus Union High School, contributes valuable artistic advice and materials, as well as bringing students on field trips to assist at work parties; she serves as secretary & statutory agent;

Ryan Matson, self-taught computer programmer, permaculture enthusiast, and natural builder with a Bachelors Degree in Community Development and Sustainability - now serves as vice president, manager & caretaker as well as regional food initiative advocate;   

Tracy Schinagel, with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, an excellent sense of order, and an outgoing sunny disposition, is awesome at keeping things organized and neat and inspiring others to become involved in projects; she serves as treasurer, manager & caretaker.  

From the beginning, Eliphante Limited has been, first and foremost, a volunteer enterprise. Michael Kahn—the creator of the buildings that continue to inspire so many—poured his energies without restraint into the materialization of his inner vision, inspiring many a helping hand to freely give assistance in many ways throughout its various stages of construction.

Since he passed on, every one of countless hours put in by many people for meetings, idea-generation, learning, organizing, and carrying out endless maintenance tasks have all been handled cheerfully and well by dedicated volunteers.

The Governing board is made up of volunteers who do much more than make decisions. They also lead the way in implementing new projects. Whether it's cleaning, mortaring, or fundraising events, Board members are right in the middle of everything.

Additionally, many volunteers from the immediate community as well as visitors from other states and even other countries contributed time to various projects. Some have helped in gradually developing programs and plans by which Eliphante can move forward and meet assorted challenges. Others have participated in performing an ever-growing array of tasks. 533 hours of volunteer time were recorded during 2011, and a good deal more was actually given but missed being recorded.

The range of tasks needing volunteer attention include: fundraising events, stone wall repair, highly unusual roof repair or replacement, grounds work, electrical and plumbing work, cleaning, grounds upkeep, constructing a number of things from screens to furniture, gardening, and so much more.

Volunteering often is a family affair, and there is also a family atmosphere amongst all the volunteers, who enjoy periodic newsletters and get together socially several times a year.

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to furthering Eliphante's goals and serving its immediate needs!

("Docent": "volunteer who teaches")

Ryan Matson and Tracy Schinagel, our versatile head caretakers, have done a great job of increasing peoples' awareness about natural building possibilities, permaculture potential, animal consciousness, and environmental conscience (through choice of soaps, foods and materials used in daily life).

Cole Lahti, the "Hoop Ninja" of Jerome, has been wonderful in demonstrating and teaching playfulness and creative potential in daily tasks, including those dealing with strictly structured organizations such as the county.

Andrea Murphy led a number of play groups teaching circus arts, as a means of developing community feeling among volunteers and caretakers alike.

Robyn Houde gave an enthusiastic and informative demonstration of the health and power potentials of simple Hydrogen technologies for our drinking water and gas tanks.

Clearly our work will not be done until we have saved the buildings of Eliphante, purchased the acreage they stand on, and added additional acres to the holdings to make room for expansion for the support and life of the original works. To raise money needed for all these large projects, a capital campaign committee is now being formed to undertake the many tasks involved in these essential goals.

If you feel inspired to assist in this all-important project, please give us a call!

Our first fundraiser was held in April on the grounds, and raised $1,800 on a voluntary-donation basis. Live music was donated by 2 bands, one local (Baba Shimbambo and the Rhythm Keepers from Tucson, AZ), and the other from L.A. ( Weatherhouse). They were both very well received as they kept a joyful spirit of celebration and enthusiasm going throughout the day and evening.

Additionally, we were lucky enough to secure the awesome talents of Bradley Blalock (marumba and piano) with Heidi Wilson (sax), and Jake Payne (guitar and voice) and Suki Ewers (guitar and voice), individual musicians who really brought the magic of the "Eliphante", "Hippadome", and "Pipe Dreams" buildings alive during their performances.
There was also a silent auction, a scavenger hunt, and other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. A handful of organizations and business people brought their goods to share, like Coconut Bliss Ice Cream, and an innovative demonstration of water technology capable of improving the health and wellbeing of plants, people, animals, and even automobiles.

Overall, this was a very successful event that generated a great deal of enthusiasm. However, shortly afterwards, the county let us know that no more events are to happen on-site until we not only purchase the property, but also secure a special use permit or rezoning of the property to be suited for commercial activity. Their concern is primarily an issue of safety and access as the driveway is seasonally variable across Oak Creek, and the landscape of Eliphante is quite irregular.

We are currently planning some small participatory actions in local community events. Our search for suitable venues for another larger Eliphante event has so far turned up possibilities for the spring, but not for the immediate future. Also, shortage of staff makes planning for a large event somewhat overwhelming. We entertain an ongoing welcome for enthusiastic people who would be delighted to assist us in planning and working towards some exciting major fundraising events! :)

In the spring we have in mind a musical event similar to the one last April, with silent auction and perhaps artist/crafter's booths, at an outside venue.

Event insurance coverage, toilets, food, donations for auction, professional time, discount printing, materials of many types for different projects, etc.... amounted to approximately $8,000.
 
Many thanks to all who have contributed!

There are many opportunities for recognition of donors or their intentions through the sponsoring of features at Eliphante. Please check out the website for a description of features available for adoption under your name!
   
Celebratory Gifts are a way to honor someone who has everything and loves unique art; they show that you are thinking of them and are aware of their interests during gift-giving occasions. An appropriate card is sent within a day after we receive a celebratory gift.

Endowments may be made in any amount from $500 and up. Those of $10,000 or more will be specifically mentioned in our annual reports and anywhere that endowments are mentioned.

Memberships are available at $150/year, and include 10 visits to Eliphante that may be shared among friends in your company, plus inclusion in members-only event invitations.

Eliphante Limited's 2011 Annual Report is now available for download in PDF, with a file size of ~ 19MB.

This year's annual report segments are:
On-going Goals and Objectives,
President's Overview,
General Report,
Supporters of Eliphante,
Volunteer Recognition,
Docent Programs,
Campaign Committee Callout,
Special Events Committee Accomplishments,
Fiscal Report,
& Ways of Giving to Eliphante, Ltd.

Help Eliphante this November! Make a daily visit to the Refresh Eliphante site or text 109937 to 73774 and you'll cast a vote for Eliphante to be awarded a grant! Top 10 +1 at the end of the month gets funded!

You can even vote twice a day by both voting online & texting!

Download our card sheet by clicking the image above, then share and remind your friends!

Some friends recently visited Eliphante and shared their experience and some photos on their blog!

Check it out:
http://www.littlevanthatcould.com/2011/04/eliphante/

Check out the photos that were caught by local Verde Valley News photographer: 
Verde Independent - Photo Gallery: Eliphante Geniuses Day 2011