Gold Medal Programs

With our mission to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for traditional fine art and its classical art skills, the California Art Club presents a series of educational programs and events with each Gold Medal Exhibition.

Programs of the 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition

  • Exhibition Preview and Artists’ Gala

    Art enthusiasts will meet the exhibiting artists at this gala preview for the California Art Club’s 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition and be among the first to view the paintings and sculptures selected for this much-anticipated display.

  • Painting California: A Century of Artistic Excellence – Opening Day Lecture

    On Sunday, July 17, opening day for the 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Jean Stern, the foremost authority on the California Impressionist movement, will discuss the Golden State’s rich legacy of capturing its stunning and diverse natural beauty with plein air painting – the practice of painting outdoors.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - July 23rd

    Every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On July 23rd, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are: Nikita Budkov, Laurie Hendricks, Ellen Howard, Adam Matano

  • Collectors Circle Lunch & Tour – California Impressionism: Then & Now

    Join fellow Collectors’ Circle members for an exclusive lunch, followed by a private tour of the museum’s collection of early California plein air paintings and a tour of the 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition highlighting contemporary plein air paintings.

  • Art Inspired by Life: Children's Program

    On Saturday, July 23, California Art Club artists will teach young budding artists about representational art forms, as they draw and sculpt their own masterpieces inspired by the Bowers’ Sculpture Garden. Advanced reservation are encouraged.

  • Introduction to Negative Painting with Brenda Swenson

    SOLD OUT – On Sunday, July 24, Gold Medal artist Brenda Swenson will lead this class on "negative painting," the technique of painting around a subject to create the negative space. Attendees will learn how to create interesting shapes and depth with transparent glazes, as they build confidence in handling glazes, wet into wet, under-paintings.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - July 30th

    Every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On July 30th, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are: Peter Adams, Mary Aslin, Christopher Burgan, Jennifer Burgan, Christopher Slatoff

  • Elements & Extremes in Plein Air Painting: Panel Discussion

    On Saturday, July 30, nationally renowned artists Charles Muench, Toni Danchik and Peter Adams will share their daring adventures to capture on canvas imagery rarely depicted in paintings.

    Please note that there has been a change in the panelists.

  • Giving Life to Fascinating Figures: Demonstration

    On Sunday, July 31, Gold Medal artist/sculptor Brittany Ryan will share philosophies and unique approaches for creating artwork featuring the human form as she demonstrates her techniques and sculpts from a live model.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - August 6th

    Every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On August 6th, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are John Kosta, Manon Sander, Jason Situ and Sharon Weaver.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - August 13th

    Every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On August 13th, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are Donna Barnes-Roberts, Toni Danchik, Debra Holladay, and Beverly Lazor.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - August 20th

    Through Labor Day Weekend, every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On August 20th, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are Rebecca Arguello, Rick Delanty, and Jeff Sewell.

  • Paint/Sculpt-Out with Live Models

    On Sunday, August 21, California Art Club painters and sculptors will set-up the tools of their trade in the Key Courtyard for a lively “Paint/Sculpt-Out.” Art enthusiasts may watch these artists create new works inspired by live models posing in explorer costumes. This free event is fun for the entire family.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - August 27th

    Through Labor Day Weekend, every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On August 27th, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are Debra Huse, Echo Baker, Anthony Salvo and Wendy Wirth.

  • 'Meet the Artists' Spotlight Talks - September 3rd

    Through Labor Day Weekend, every Saturday morning during the Gold Medal Exhibition, exhibiting artists will be in the gallery to provide insights on their works and answer questions. These talks will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and are free with General Admission.

    On September 3rd, the artists participating in the “Meet the Artists” Spotlight Talks are William Galvez, Susan Hoehn, Jeff Horn, Michael Obermeyer and Kevin Short.

  • Closing Day 'Meet and Greet' with the Gold Medal Artists

    Don’t miss Closing Day of California Art Club’s 111th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition at the Bowers Museum. On September 11, as part of the Autumn Moon Festival, a free family festival at the Bowers, there will be a special "Meet and Greet" artists in the exhibition galleries.