California Art Club Exhibit On Display April 1 at Autry National Center

[The following press release was provided by the California Art Club.]

The California Art Club will present its signature exhibition, the 101st Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition, for the very first time at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles from April 1 to 22. 

The display of more than 200 representational works of art is unthemed to encourage artists to challenge themselves and raise the bar with their art. The featured works, selected by a jury that included representatives from five California museums, spotlight sculpture and paintings of genres ranging from figures and still lifes to landscapes. The landscape paintings include some “grittier” images that reflect urbanization and works created to call attention to land preservation efforts.

“The California Art Club is honored that the Autry National Center will present the 101st Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition, as the Center's dedication to sharing the stories and experiences of the people that have lived in the American West provides an ideal platform for documenting in artwork the Club's unique voice and vision in American art history,” says American artist Peter Adams, who has served as the organization's president since 1993.

The exhibiting artists include a number of renowned contemporary-traditional fine artists, who have been active in expanding the interest in the plein air heritage associated with the organization's beginnings in 1909. Among these artists are painters Peter Adams, John Cosby, Dennis Doheny, David C. Gallup, Steve Huston, Ray Roberts, and Mian Situ, as well as sculptors Béla Bácsi and Christopher Slatoff.

During the exhibition, the California Art Club will present a number of events and educational programs that will enable art enthusiasts to meet the participating artists and learn more about traditional art forms.  Information about these activities, which include the Artists' Gala Reception on Saturday, March 31, a panel discussion "When Fine Art Meets Moviemaking," and a "Paint-Out/Sculpt-Out" at the Autry on the closing day for the exhibition, is detailed at www.californiaartclub.org.

Related Programs and Events:

Artists' Gala Reception - Saturday, March 31, 6 to 9 p.m.
Art enthusiasts can meet the exhibiting artists at this preview reception. Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door, and include a copy of the exhibition catalogue. (626) 583-9009.

Figure Painting Demonstration with Steve Huston - Sunday, April 1, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Gold Medal artist Steve Huston, best known for his iconic archetypes of both the masculine and feminine forms, will present a figure painting demonstration. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members (does not include museum admission).  (626) 583-9009.

“When Fine Art Meets Moviemaking” Panel Discussion - Sunday, April 15, 1 to 3 p.m.
Gold Medal artist William Stout, whose credits include Jurassic Park and Pan's Labyrinth, will moderate this discussion, at which panelists will discuss the intersection of traditional fine arts and filmmaking. Panelist include Glen Eisner (Terminator 2, Passion of The Christ), Ernesto Nemesio (Pixar), and Drew Struzan (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones). Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members (does not include museum admission). (626) 583-9009

“Paint-Out/Sculpt-Out” at the Autry - Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
California Art Club painters and sculptors will set-up the tools of their trade on the grounds of the Autry in Griffith Park to create new artwork featuring live models. Free.

Closing Tour and Membership Open House - Sunday, April 22, 3 to 5 p.m.  
On the closing day of the exhibition, Gold Medal artists will lead tours and share insights on the artwork on view. Free with museum admission.