CALIFORNIA ART CLUB

The California Art Club is pleased to present the 92nd Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of History. The exhibition includes original paintings and sculptures by 136 contemporary artists, and three rarely-seen paintings by founding and early members of the California Art Club. Each contemporary work was juried into the exhibition by 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 in the exhibition and the other goes to the "best" sculpture, both winners are judged by fellow exhibiting artists. In an effort to document this momentous occasion for future historic reference, the exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive 144-page colour catalogue with an essay written by prominent art writer and Editor of Art of the West magazine, Vicki Stavig.
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, in both painting and sculpting. Those artists who qualify to submit entries into the Gold Medal Exhibition must already be designated "Signature," "Artist," "Sculptor" and "Mentor" 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 are not included 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 and 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 2,700, of which 39 are "Signature" members; 350 are "Artist" and "Sculptor" (combined) members; 12 are Mentor members (highly talented artists under age 32 selected by special recommendation), and over 2,000 are "Patron" members. Patron membership is open to anyone who would like to join for an annual rate of $40.

THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF HISTORY

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. 10.

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's 92nd 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
Anonymous

$1,000 - $4,999
MERCURY
God of Invention and Messenger to the other gods
Peter and Elaine Adams
Fran and Terry Flanagan
Jerry Solomon Custom Framing: Carvers and Gilders of Premium Frames
John Moran Auctioneers, Inc.
Irene and Don McGovern
Gerald and Gail Feingarten Oppenheimer

$500 - $999
MUSE
The Spirit that Inspires Artists
Anonymous
Olin and Ann Barrett
Carl Belfor and Lynn Gertenbach
Dr. and Mrs. Richard G. Doyle
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Fish
Forbes Foundation
Janet and Michael Fourticq
Karen Hackett - Kevin Casey, Tirage Art Gallery
Randy Higbee, Art & Frame Co.
Daryn and Bill Horton
Jeffrey Morseburg, Morseburg Galleries
Mrs. Robert F. Niven
James and Jodie Rea
Keith and Joan Renken, DeLoitte & Touche (retired)
Joan Horsfall Young

Additional support from:
Anonymous
Gary and Nancy Barber
Pat and John Bucklin
Charles Clifford, M.D.
Marsha Grieco
J. Kamin Fine Art
B. Allen Lay
Mimi Martin
Gary and Julie Meyer
Gary and Linda Stanley
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Tenaglia

We wish to thank the following lenders for generously sharing their historic paintings
for this exhibition:
Edenhurst Gallery ~ Reed & Chris Halladay ~ Lukits Trust Collection ~ Morseburg Galleries

We wish to thank the following generous supporters for providing exhibition awards:

Museum Acquisition Award, donated by Leslie and Robert Zasa

Merchandise Award to be shared between the two Gold Medal winners, donated by Jerry Solomon Custom Framing Carvers and Gilders of Premium Frames

Merchandise Award to be presented to the Gold Medal winner for Best Painting, donated by Frame by Petros