New Year's Eve
Pastel, 17" x 17 3/4"

After the Storm, Arroyo Seco, circa 1915
Oil on canvas, 24" x 30"
Collection of Ms. Karen Hackett and Mr. Kevin Casey

The California Art Club is pleased to introduce the pivotal 90th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition at the Pasadena Historical Museum. The exhibition includes original paintings and sculptures by 140 contemporary artists, and sixteen rarely-seen paintings by founding and early members of the California Art Club. Each contemporary work was juried into the exhibition bu a panel of ten art experts, while the selection of historic paintings was curated by art scholar, Jeffrey Morseburg. There is no theme to this exhibition, other than creating works of the highest quality in technical skills and poetic expression. There are only two "Gold Medal" awards that are presented - one to the "best" painting of the exhibition and the other goes to the "best" sculpture, and are judged by fellow exhibiting artists. In an effort to document this momentous occasion for future historic reference, a comprehensive 156-page color catalogue with an essay written by Executive Director of the Irvine Museum, Jean Stern accompanies the exhibition.
Since the onset of the California Art Club's annual exhibitions (the first was held in January 1911 at the Blanchard Gallery in Los Angeles), the focus has been on producing the highest standards in fine art, both in painting and sculpting. Those artists who qualify to submit entries into the Gold Medal Exhibition must already be designated "Artist" members of the California Art Club, which signifies that they reside in California and have passed a rigid membership judging procedure. (Note: The Club has "Out-of-State Artist" members, however, they cannot participate in the Gold Medal exhibitions.)

HISTORY

In the early part of the 20th century a small handful of painters settled in Los Angeles where they formed the Painters Club of Los Angeles in 1906. Three years later, the Painters Club reorganized itself into the California Art Club and, for the first time, allowed women to join as members. They soon became recognized as the most important art organization in southern California and a dominant cultural influence in Los Angeles during the city's formative years. Today, the California Art Club, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit professional art organization, is recognized as one of the oldest, largest and most active professional art organizations in the country. In 1997 the Club became an affiliate of the California Art Academy and Museum to help preserve traditional academic training and to maintain art and documents relating to California's art history. The California Art Club is an internationally recognized organization of leading American artists headquartered in Pasadena, California, with a current membership of 2,000, of which 40 are "Signature" members; 300 are "Artist" and "Sculptor" (combined) members; and approximately 1,700 are "Patron" members. Patron membership is open to anyone who would like to join for an annual rate of $35.

THE PASADENA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Fifty years after the Indiana Colony first settled along the Arroyo Seco, the Pasadena Historical Society was established, and, since, 1924,, its mission has been to collect, preserve and exhibit materials documenting the founding and early history of Pasadena. Today, the Pasadena Historical Museum is one of the area's most unique treasures and continues to pursue the dream of these early founders. Generous donors have continued to give a variety of ephemera covering every aspect of the city's history - business and community organizations, art, architecture and music, churches and schools, sports, the San Gabriel Mountains, and memoirs of historic events are all here.
A tour of the Museum's Fenyes Mansion leads one back into the cultured lifestyle that once dominated Pasadena's "Millionaire's Row" at the turn of the century. Designed and built in 1905 by Robert D. Farquar for Eva and Adalbert Fenyes, its elegant Beaux Arts style, interior and furnishings remain in their original state, displaying a grand style much like that of an Italian villa. Eva Fenyes, herself a noted plein air painter, hosted musicales, theatrical productions, and Friday "at homes" in her charming studio. Throughout the mansion, works by southern California artists - Carl Oscar Borg, Benjamin Brown, William Keith, Granville Redmond and others - are displayed among the many treasures collected during the Fenyes' travels abroad. These early California artists, finding a constant source of inspiration in the beauty of the Arroyo Seco, settled along its banks, exhibition [sic] their work in studios, hired halls, and the grand hotels of the era. It was indeed a time of elegance and grace, with Eva and Adalbert Fenyes playing a major role in the cultural activities of the day.
Today, the Museum's Research Library and Archives contain a major collection of over 1,000,000 historic photographs, including works by A. C. Vroman, the Pasadena Star News collection, and the works of J. Allen Hawkins, numerous reference books and papers relating to the history of the area, periodicals and magazines, brochures, political tracts, diaries,, scrapbooks and city maps dating from the 19th century. Other Museum offerings include the popular Speakers Bureau, the charming Finnish Folk Art Museum, and a variety of lectures, special events, and exhibitions. A valuable community asset, the Pasadena Historical Musuem provides visitors with a wonderful opportunity to learn about the rich history of Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.
The Pasadena Historical Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Guests can tour the Fenyes Mansion, the exhibits in the History Education Center, and the Finnish Folk Art Museum, browse through the Museum Shop, stroll the gardens, or explore the Library and Archives. For more information on membership, programs and special events, please call 626/577-1660, ext. 17.

SPONSORS

Throughout history, even the greatest artists have had to rely on the encouragement and generosity of their benefactors. Today, as we produce the California Art Club 90th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition, we wish to thank our generous benefactors who have made the success of this exhibition possible.

$5,000 - $9,999
ATHENA SPONSOR
Goddess of Wisdom and the Arts
Richard and Cynthia Jones

$1,000 - $4,999
MERCURY
God of Invention and Messenger to the other gods
Mrs. Peter Adams (Mary)
Peter and Elaine Adams
Jasminka Chenich-Gabrie, Galerie Gabrie
Edenhurst Gallery
Marcia and George Good
J. Kamin Fine Art
Jerry Solomon Custom Framing: Carvers and Gilders of Premium Frames
Joan Irvine Smith Fine Arts, Inc.
Morseburg Galleries
William A. Karges Fine Art

$500 - $999
MUSE
The Spirit that Inspires Artists
Art of the West Magazine
Alice O'Neill Avery
Dr. and Mrs. Richard G. Doyle
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Fish
Mrs. Beverly E. Fitzgerald
Marlene R. Miller, Arlington Gallery
Dorothy E. Roth
Tirage Art Gallery - Kevin Casey and Karen Hackett
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Zasa

Additional support from:
Fred and Sherry Ross
Susan Wier

The following Pasadena establishments were generous in contributing to the Artists' Gala Reception. We hope that you will reciprocate by patronizing these fine restaurants and merchants.

Bistro 45 ~ Cafe Santorini ~ Cayo Restaurant ~ Hugo Molina Restaurant
The Bee's Knees Bakery ~ Mission Wines of South Pasadena