Hubbell art from historic Triton restaurant on display at Ilan-Lael Art Center

A cherished piece of San Diego County history is being brought back to life at the Ilan-Lael art compound in Santa Ysabel, near Julian.

The Mermaid-Albatross stained glass window, originally created by celebrated artist and architect James Hubbell for The Triton restaurant in the 1970s, is being restored by Ilan-Lael studio artists.

The Triton, once a beloved beachside dining destination in Cardiff, was known for its immersive underwater-themed design and handcrafted art by Hubbell. Though the location closed in 2014, much of its artwork was preserved ultimately inspiring the creation of the Ilan-Lael Art Center.

Visitors can now view the ongoing art restoration, along with two additional relics from The Triton restaurant, during Ilan-Lael’s Spring Tours, running through June 15. Once completed, the Mermaid-Albatross will be gifted to the San Diego History Center.

The project was described as “a beautiful example of connecting the past to the present through James Hubbell’s legacy art and the craftsmanship of the Ilan-Lael studio artists” in a news release.

For tour reservations and details, go to ilanlaelfoundation.org.