CALIFORNIA ART CLUB

The California Art Club is pleased to present the 94th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. The exhibition includes original paintings and sculptures by 128 contemporary artists, and a selection of rarely-seen paintings by founding and early members of the California Art Club. Each contemporary work was juried into the exhibition by a professional panel of museum curators and art experts including Suzanne Bellah, Director, Carnegie Art Museum; Wesley Jessup, Executive Director, Pasadena Museum of California Art; Amy Scott, Curator of Visual Art, Autry National Center; Jean Stern, Executive Director, The Irvine Museum; and Michael Zakian, Ph.D., Director, Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University. The historic paintings were generously loaned by The Irvine Museum. 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, a comprehensive 152-page colour catalogue has been produced, with a compelling essay written by prominent art scholar Deborah Epstein Solon, Ph.D., on the subject of Purely Academic: The Training of California Painters at Home and Abroad.
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 Program" members of the California Art Club, which signifies that they reside in California and have passed a rigid membership judging procedure. This year, the Club has also invited several of its "Out-of-State Artist" members, who are some of the most prestigious artists in the country.

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, with over 3,000 members, 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. Patron membership is open to anyone who would like to join in support of contemporary-traditional art for annual dues of $50. Additional Patron levels with special benefits are also available. Further information about the Club, activities and membership can be found at www.californiaartclub.org.

THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART

The Mission of the Pasadena Museum of California Art is to educate and enrich the public through the collection, study and presentation of works of California art, design and architecture from 1850 through the present. Informed by the state's rich mixture of cultures and inspired by its impressive geography, California art has long been defined by a spirit of freedom and experimentation. PMCA exhibitions and educational programs explore the cultural dynamics and influences unique to California that have shaped and defined art in all media.
Robert and Arlene Oltman, long-time Pasadena residents and art collectors, founded the museum and underwrote the costs of its construction. The impetus to build a museum devoted to California art grew from the Oltman's collecting activities, which began to focus in recent years almost exclusively on artists from California. PMCA is the only museum in Southern California entirely devoted to California art and celebrates the pioneering role of historic California artists, the vibrant contemporary art scene, and the growing public interest in California in general.
Construction of the new museum began in December 2000 and the completed facility opened its doors to the public in June 2002. Located in the heart of Pasadena's historic Playhouse District, the museum is a vital new cultural venue. Designed by the Los Angeles architecture firm MDA Johnson Favaro Architecture and Urban Design, PMCA is housed in a three-story, mixed-use facility and features 8,000 square feet of gallery space, a bookstore, and a community room.
PMCA's inaugural exhibition in 2002, On-Ramps: Transitional Moments in California Art, Milford Zornes: A California Watercolorist at 95; and Alson Clark: An American Impressionist, which will open at the PMCA in September of 2005.

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 93rd Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition, we wish to thank our generous benefactors who have made the success of this exhibition possible.

Over $10,000
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Art & Antiques Magazine - Louise and Douglas Billian
Robert and Arlene Oltman

$5,000 - $9,999
GOLD SPONSOR
Art of the West Magazine
Art-Talk Magazine
Reed and Chris Halladay
Kaiser Permanente
Southwest Art Magazine

$1,000 - $4,999
SILVER SPONSOR
John and Suzanne Adams
Peter and Elaine Adams
Art & Frame Co., Kingofframe.com
Community Bank
Donald Crocker
Dreyer Fine Arts
Christopher Forbes
Judge Terry A. Green
Irene and Don McGovern
Gayle and Ed Roski
Alyce and Warren Williamson
Robert and Leslie Zasa

$500 - $999
BRONZE SPONSOR
Aileen Adams and Geoffrey Cowan
Linda and David Adams
American Legacy Fine Arts
Olin and Ann Barrett
Bottoms Art Galleries
Tracey Darroll
Richard and Theo Doyle
Frames by Petros
Desdy Kellogg and Charles Baggott
Kevin J. Kinsella
Ernie and Silvia Marjoram
Mimi Martin
Hon. Maribeth Walton McGinley
Col. James D. McGinley
Kay and Steve Onderdonk
Joan and Martin Ransohoff
James and Jodie Rea
Keith and Joan Renken
John C. and Wendy W. Siciliano Family Fund
Barbara and Bill Steinwedell
Topnotch Magazine

$250 - 499
FRIENDS OF THE CALIFORNIA ART CLUB
Peter and Becky Adams
Eugen and Ann Avery Andres
ArtSanDiego - Gary Stanley
Mr. and Mrs. James Bowen
Les Brown and Patsy Van Dyke
Ernest A. Bryant, III
Bente and Gerald E. Buck
Patricia M. Bucklin
Cathey Cadieux
Mrs. and Mrs. Gordon Fish
Aida Ganddini - Villas & Verandas Fine Art Gallery
John Geraghty
Mary E. Goodan
Brian and Dali Higa
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Horton
Gregory Hull
Jove Wang Art Studio, Inc.
Glen Knowles
Calvin Liang
Pauline C. Naftzger
Michael Situ
Mr. and Mrs. W. Jason Situ
Ruby Spaid
Studio Dani
Patricia Trenton, Ph.D.

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

Merchandise Awards to be presented to Gold Medal winners are donated by the following sponsors:

Art of the West, Art-Talk and Southwest Art magazines; and Frame by Petros