Santa Paula Art Museum — For Auld Lang Syne

Art creates community.

Carlos Juarez (now mayor of Santa Paula) was photographed by John Nichols at the Odd Fellows Clock Tower in Santa Paula in 2013 for the Santa Paula Portrait Project.

Happy New Year!

The countdown to 2021 has begun! While it’s “out with the old, in with the new” in pretty much every other respect this year, we felt compelled to bring back one of the Santa Paula Art Museum’s most inspiring exhibits from years past for auld lang syne (for the sake of old times).

From 2011 to 2013, Santa Paula artists Gail Pidduck and John Nichols embarked on a community portrait project so that they could better know and appreciate the people in their hometown. Their Santa Paula Portrait Project is now in the Museum’s permanent collection, and you can view the exhibition in its entirety online.

One of the quotes that the exhibit leaves viewers with is this one: “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”

Our thoughts exactly this new year.

In Loving Memory: Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson (1943 – 2020)

Santa Paula recently lost one of its most devoted citizens, Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson. Mary Alice was truly a pillar of this community. A fourth-generation Santa Paulan, Mary Alice was founding president of the Santa Paula Historical Society and a founding board member of the Santa Paula Art Museum. She helped to establish numerous programs to benefit Santa Paula including the long-running GhostWalk and several public monuments. Mary Alice also authored some of the best books and articles on Santa Paula history and art history. Her service to this community will always be remembered here at the Santa Paula Art Museum through our newly established Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson Vision Award, which will be awarded annually to an individual who has displayed outstanding support of the Museum.

The Art Lovers by Anette Power (detail), oil, 36 x 24 inches. Available for purchase in Power’s upcoming Silver Liningsexhibition.

Virtual Sneak Peek: Silver Linings: Journey of Light, a Solo Exhibit by Anette Power

Saturday, January 16, 2021: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Light has long been an object of fascination for local artist Anette Power, informing both how and what she paints. There is, after all, light that can be seen and painted, and then there’s the joy and lightness of feeling that can only be conveyed in an artist’s choice of subject matter. Join Anette for a free, virtual sneak peek of her upcoming exhibit Silver Linings: Journey of Light, which will be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum from February 6, 2021 to May 30, 2021.* The sneak peek will be streamed live from the artist’s studio via Zoom. Preregistration and Zoom app are required.

*In the event that the Museum remains closed due to COVID restrictions, the entire exhibit will be available to enjoy on the Museum’s website beginning February 6.

Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria by Artemisia Gentileschi (1593 – c.1656), c.1615-17, oil on canvas.

Virtual Art Class: Art Appreciation – Women in Art (Ages 16+)

Four Wednesdays beginning January 20, 2021:

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day

Tap into your inner art lover, and practice the skills of art appreciation as we explore the artworks and impacts of women artists in the Museum’s new, virtual Art Appreciationcourse! Join longtime art professor Meg Phelps online for a historical survey across centuries featuring Artemisia Gentileschi, Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Mary Cassat, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, and many others! Click here to get a sneak peek of what the course will include. This four-part virtual course is $85.00 per person. Zoom app and preregistration are required. Space is extremely limited.

Virtual Art Class: Color Theory for Painting – Essential Skills(Ages 16+)

Four Saturdays beginning January 23, 2021:

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day

No matter what your artistic practice, an understanding of color theory is crucial to the visual success of any artwork. Join teaching artist Gabriel Islas online to learn the essentials of color theory as well as the science, history, and character of pigments. Finish the course with a beautiful, painted color wheel that you’ll be able to reference well into the future. This four-part virtual course is $140.00 per person. All materials will be provided. Zoom app and preregistration are required. Space is extremely limited.

Virtual Art Class: What a Face! Pet Portraits with Jem (Ages 16+)

Four Saturdays beginning February 20, 2021:

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day

What better portrait to have on your wall than one of your own furry friend? Join teaching artist Jem Morris online and learn how to paint a portrait of your pet or favorite animal! Jem will guide you through the entire process, including drawing and acrylic painting techniques. You’ll finish the course with a complete pet portrait to show off to your friends. This four-part virtual course is $140.00 per person. All materials will be provided. Zoom app and preregistration are required. Space is extremely limited.

A recent Art To-Go Bag drive-thru giveaway.

End the Year on a Positive Note

There are only a few hours left to donate in 2020! End the year on a positive note and make a donation to the Santa Paula Art Museum. Your donation is tax-deductible, and your contribution will allow the Museum to continue to serve our community in 2021.