Art + Design

Creative visions brought to life by local artists and contemporary designers can be found at Sausalito’s Marinship Studios. The works of jewelry designers Maya Kini and Laura Lienhard, sculptor and garden designer James Lafemina, and ceramic and glass artist Susan McKinney. Through their work, they revive the spirit of this seaside enclave, once home to renowned figures like Maya Angelou, Gordon Onslow Ford, Allen Ginsberg, Jean Varda, and Ruth Asawa.

Marinship Studios, set along Sausalito’s historic waterfront, is more than just a creative space—it’s a continuation of a storied legacy that began in the mid-20th century with trailblazing artists and thinkers. The studio’s roots trace back to Frances Anshen in the early 1950s, was introduced to the area by artist Jean Varda. She transformed a sinking barge into her home alongside her husband, architect Bob Anshen, and gradually built a community of houseboats and structures that became a hub of creativity. Today, under the stewardship of its visionary owner and founder Max Houtzager, Marinship Studios has been revitalized with a design team that includes Takashi Yanai of EYRC Architects, Commune Design, and landscape firm Terremoto. Their work honors the spirit of the original community, maintaining its organic, minimalist ethos while creating functional spaces that naturally extend the legacy of Marinship as a haven for artists, makers, and innovators. The history and creative energy of Marinship, enriched by figures like Gordon Onslow Ford and Varda, continue to influence its evolution, making it a place where creativity thrives.