Claremont Museum of Art Celebrates First Anniversary in April with series of Gallery Talks, Senior Days and Family Art Days
Claremont, CA (March 25, 2008) — The Claremont Museum of Art is pleased to celebrate its first anniversary in April. “Our inaugural year has been extremely successful,” said CMA Director William Moreno. “Not only has the local community rallied around the Museum and its programs, almost 50% of our visitors come from the greater Los Angeles area, and that certainly is a significant trend.” To celebrate, we have a full calendar of programs for the whole family, including artmaking workshops, gallery talks and senior days. Bring the family and celebrate!
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 (NOT April 30)
SENIOR WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL
Seniors 62 and over receive special discounts and programs every Wednesday in April (except April 30):
• Special $2 admission to the galleries for seniors (As always, admission for Museum Members and children under 18 is FREE. Not a member? Take advantage of our special $30 annual senior membership.)
• Special senior discount of 20% off a single item at the acclaimed Museum Store
• Docents available starting at 11:30 a.m., reservations not necessary, open to the public
• Make a day of it! Visit one of the new West Village eateries and treat yourself to a senior discount matinee at the Laemmle Theatre, just steps away from the Museum.
Friday, April 4
FREE FIRST FRIDAY and CHAIR-ITY SIT-IN
4 – 7 p.m. Chair-ity Sit-in – Art Auction of artist-designed chairs in the Packing House, sponsored by the Claremont Community Foundation. Visit the Museum Store to view some of the amazing chairs! CMA Guest Curator Steve Comba and Museum Associate Melody Kriesel are artists featured in the auction.
5 – 8:30 p.m. Free Friday – Admission to the Museum is free the first Friday of every month, coinciding with Claremont’s First Friday Artwalk.
Saturday, April 5, 3 p.m.
REMINISCENCES: James Hueter discusses Henry Lee McFee
Free for Museum Members, $5 for non-members (includes gallery admission)
Artist James Hueter shares stories and discusses his former teacher, pioneering American Cubist painter and First Generation artist Henry Lee McFee, who taught at Claremont College and Chouinard Art Institute. First Generation Guest Curator Steve Comba hosts.
Saturday, April 12
IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY
Free admission to Museum all day, family art making and gallery talk
1 – 3 p.m. Family Art Day – Abstract Installation Project: Abstract Expressionist artist Janna Geary leads this family-friendly group painting project, which will become a large multi-dimensional in the courtyard east of the Packing House by May 2. Come dressed to paint!
3 – 4 p.m. Reminiscences: Artists and CMA Founders Harrison and Marguerite McIntosh share their personal recollections of their former neighbors, First Generation artists Jean and Arthur Ames, celebrated for their work in glazed tile, glass mosaic, and enamel. First Generation Guest Curator Steve Comba hosts.
Sunday, April 20, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FAMILY ART DAY
Make a Clay Pot! Free and open to the public
Children are invited to learn how to make a clay pot with artist Mike Lardi, who will embellish the pots with a stylus, inspired by Pitcher, a work by Richard Petterson and Phil Dike, now on view in First Generation.
Saturday, April 26, 3 p.m.
REMINISCENCES: E. Gene Crain discusses several First Generation artists
Free for Museum Members, $5 for non-members (includes gallery admission)
E. Gene Crain, collector and friend to many of the First Generation artists, shares stories of his friendship with Millard Sheets, Phil Dike, and others, and discusses the history of his collection, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of work by artists from the “California School.” First Generation Guest Curator Steve Comba hosts.
Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FIRST GENERATION EXHIBITION CLOSING
Join us for the final day of the remarkable exhibition First Generation: Art in Claremont, 1907-1957, which traces the art history of the region in the first 50 years after the city’s incorporation in 1907.