The Inspiration

“Creekspirit” is the name given to the property owned by artist Patti Jacquemain and located at 1000 Mission Canyon Road in Santa Barbara , California. The gardens and the centerpiece structure, the Dome of the Great Bear, are her personal creations and epitomize the essence of her creativity.

The grounds comprise approximately three acres in the heart of Mission Canyon adjacent to Mission Creek. Mission Creek was the original watersource for Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786, and a portion of the historic stone aqueduct that carried water down to the mission is on the Creekspirit property.

When Jacquemain acquired the property in the early 1980’s, it was completely overridden with brush, poison oak and weeds. Jacquemain has since cleared and landscaped the property to its present state, using redwood trees, flowers and native plants. Creekspirit has evolved into a “ Garden of Art ” with mosaics that Jacquemain has used to depict the subject of her passion, wildlife of the West.

The centerpiece of Creekspirit is the Dome of the Great Bear, an 880 square-foot building dedicated in March 2008 in honor of the now-extinct California Grizzly Bear, the state animal. Inside the Dome’s central room, mosaics on the walls, the floor and the ceiling portray a number of grizzly bears that are legendary in the history of California. The dome houses the Creekspirit Wildlife Library and also has an office area, a small kitchen and a restroom.

As one strolls through the garden, one sees the Gledhill Grove, named for Jacquemain’s husband, David Gledhill and his family. Alongside of a large koi pond is the Wild Bird Terrace, on which over 100 birds are depicted in Italian mosaic tile. At the back of the garden is a small barn that houses a gallery of Jacquemain’s artwork.

Creekspirit is managed by the Creekspirit Wildlife Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. Please note that Creekspirit is not open to the public, but rather is open by special invitation on an appointment basis only.