Wildling Museum of Art and Nature presents third national juried exhibition focusing on California National Parks
Exhibition: California National Parks: Stories of Water
On view: September 23, 2023 – February 19, 2024
Opening reception: Sunday, September 24, 3 – 5 p.m. | Wildling Museum, 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463 Cash prizes: First, second, and third place awards will be announced at the opening reception
Website: wildlingmuseum.org/news/2023-ca-national-parks-exhibition
SOLVANG — The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to present its third juried exhibition showcasing California’s nine national parks this fall. California National Parks: Stories of Water will feature 37 artists and 39 selected artworks juried from a pool of more than 240 submissions by artists across the U.S., competing for $4,000 in awards. The public is invited to attend an opening reception and awards ceremony at the Wildling on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 3 – 5 p.m.
The exhibition explores various impacts of water – or its lack – in California’s national parks through a wide range of media and techniques, from acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings, to photography, mixed media, and textile art.
Featured Santa Clara-based artist Margaret Luo explored the dramatic intensity of water in the desert in her work portraying Joshua Tree National Park during an incoming storm.
“The commanding Joshua trees depend on well-timed rains to survive. But sun-bleached fallen tree trunks in the distance tell a history of expectant rains that have failed to arrive,” said Luo. “If the timing isn’t right, these impressive trees fall to the earth, their widespread and shallow roots unable to hold the body upright any longer.”
Other works capture water’s abundance – particularly in the aftermath of this year’s heavy rains – through a range of waterfalls and rivers.
For Lompoc artist Nancy Yaki, her work “Holding Stratus Pose, Tenaya Lake” represents a personal connection with water as a symbol of adaptability and enduring balance in embracing change.
“Amid the challenging times during my chemo treatments, my soul craved the soothing presence of water – driven by longing; I drove to Yosemite, where I discovered Tenaya Lake,” said Yaki. “There, amidst the beauty of nature’s canvas, I embarked on an afternoon paddle-boarding excursion and welcomed the serene lake, experiencing an indescribable connection – a profound realization of the interplay between the ever-changing currents and the unyielding essence of my life. As I held a pose, captivated by the moisture in the atmosphere, the clouds mirrored in the water, and the body of water that held me up, I found a surreal harmony—a moment of clarity that resonated with the core of my being.”
Seattle-based artist Suze Woolf explored the resilience of giant redwoods as well as their reliance on water.
“As an artist preoccupied with climate and fire, it was miraculous to visit the Redwood National and State Parks – to be among such giants, aware of how much water they need, to be in such deep and damp shade in a dry State, to see that fire had touched but not harmed them,” said Woolf.
The goal of this exhibition is to bring awareness to the wealth of national parks found in California as well as the impact of water throughout the state.
The Wildling Museum is grateful to juror Nathan Vonk, owner of Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery, located in Santa Barbara, for judging the impressive number of entries.
“It is a great exhibition, focused on an important and worthy subject. I have a deep appreciation for our national parks, and the part that art has played in raising awareness of these treasured places,” said Vonk. “The submitted work was really extraordinary, making it wonderfully difficult to pick the final pieces. I’ll be very excited to see them all installed in the Wildling.”
Works featured in the exhibition are available for sale with 40 percent of proceeds benefitting the Wildling Museum.
For more information, go to: www.wildlingmuseum.org/news/2023-ca-national-parks-exhibition. Questions? Contact info@wildlingmuseum.org or call (805) 686-8315.
Generous support for California National Parks: Stories of Water provided by exhibition sponsors The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation, Pete & Becky Adams, Penny & Joseph Knowles, The Poomer Fund for Anne Smith Towbes, George & Denise Rose, Margaret Weiss, and donors to the Patti Jacquemain Exhibition Fund.
Featured Artists
Allegra Bick-Maurischat, Bob Canepa, Chris Chapman, Vicki Conley, Trevor Coopersmith, Michael Blair Davies, Jym Davis, John Evarts, Nancy Fint, Irwin Freeman, Jan French, David Gardner, Kevin Gleason, Patricia Gould, David Gregory, Kelly Hildner, James Hodgson, Christine Huhn, Ray Hunter, John Iwerks, Larry Iwerks, Christine Kierstead, Diane Lamboley, Margaret Luo, Susan Makov, Michael Miner, Jennifer Morgan, Eric Newnam, Bill Saltzstein, Laurie Schafer, Seraphine Segal, Nic Stover, Denise Taylor, Gary Wagner, Nina Warner, Suze Woolf, and Nancy Yaki.
About the Juror | Nathan Vonk
Nathan Vonk is the owner of Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery, where he oversees all sales and acquisitions, advises clients on building collections, and directs social media and advertising initiatives. The gallery offers approximately twenty exhibitions each year, including solo shows for contemporary and historic artists as well as curated thematic exhibitions. Through its research efforts, Sullivan Goss is also involved with scholarship and research for American artists and also has an active publication program.
Vonk grew up in a small farm town in Iowa and received a B.A. from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and a masters in Critical Theory in Literature in Brighton, England. On weekend train trips to London, he taught himself art in the museums. After returning to the U.S., he taught English at Ventura College before joining Sullivan Goss.
About the Wildling Museum
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, where art and nature meet, offers visitors a unique perspective on the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Through the eyes of artists, and education and field experiences, guests can renew their relationship with the wilderness and understand its fragile nature – hopefully leaving more committed toward ensuring those spaces remain for future generations. Current visiting hours are weekdays 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, and to volunteer or join as a member to support this important local arts and nature institution, please visit www.wildlingmuseum.org.