[MONTEREY, CA] 50/fifty: 50 Gifts for the Next Fifty Years, an exhibition of gifts to the Museum’s permanent collection, is on view for just two more weeks at MMA La Mirada. The Museum’s permanent collection has been shaped by the sophistication and generosity of local collectors to become a true reflection of the history and spirit of the Monterey County community. This exhibition was created in celebration of a half-century of such generosity and as a demonstration of the Museum’s continued commitment to building a collection worthy of the rich art history of the region. Those who haven’t had an opportunity to view this exceptional exhibition will have to hurry. 50/fifty: 50 Gifts for the Next Fifty Years continues through Sunday, June 21 only.
Installed in the galleries of MMA La Mirada, the exhibition encompasses paintings, works on paper and ceramics. Extraordinary examples early California paintings by John O’Shea, Thaddeus Welch and Guissepe Cadenasso, photographs by Ansel Adams, Yousuf Karsh, Imogen Cunningham and W. Eugene Smith, contemporary art including works by Joan Savo, Kenjilo Nanao, David Ligare, Johnny Apodaca and Barry Masteller, and exquisite examples of contemporary Japanese pottery are highlights of the exhibition.
“We are especially pleased with the recent acquisition of seven important works of Early California art, Bay Area postwar painting, photography and contemporary art, which were given by the Museum’s Collector’s Guild in honor of our anniversary," says Executive Director E. Michael Whittington. “These works profoundly deepen our collection.”
The Museum’s second major 50th Anniversary exhibition, Made in Monterey, is on view at MMA Pacific Street through October 25. This sweeping exhibition of the most beloved and important works from the Museum’s permanent collection celebrates the painting, photography and contemporary art of California.
The 50th Anniversary Exhibitions are supported in part by a Grant in Memory of Louise Bougie Beland from the John H. Marble Endowment Fund Administered by the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Stephen Bechtel Fund. Sponsored by Rita and Shelby Steele, Alvarez Technology Group, Inc., Jane Dart, First National Bank of Central California, Dr. Darnell M. Whitt II, Pam and John Wilkinson, Mary Cary and Gary Coughlan, Gail and Jim Griggs, William E. Heyler, Carole and Andy Hunter, Jane Dart Tucker, Patricia Work, Jim Lauderdale and Kevin Philips and Nanci Markey. Community Day is sponsored by a grant from the City of Monterey Cultural Arts Commission. Media sponsorship provided by Monterey County Weekly.
About The Monterey Museum of Art
Mission: The Monterey Museum of Art collects, preserves, and interprets the art of California from the nineteenth century to the present day, within a national and international context. In this way, we expand the appreciation of our evolving artistic legacy and inspire a passion for the visual arts.
The Museum was established in 1959 as a chapter of the American Federation of the Arts and has a permanent collection of 14,000 objects, which includes paintings, photographs, works on paper, Asian art and significant holdings by California artists such as Armin Hansen, William F. Ritschel, Edward Weston and Ansel Adams. The Monterey Museum of Art has two locations: 559 Pacific Street (closed through April 15 for the 50th Anniversary exhibition installation) and 720 Via Mirada, Monterey, CA, 93940. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 to 4 pm. Admission: $5 general, $2.50 student and military. Museum members and children under 12 are free. For more information, please visit www.montereyart.org or call 831.372.5477. |
