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Informed by the state’s rich fabric of cultures and inspired by its impressive geography, California art has long been defined by a spirit of freedom and experimentation. Construction of the museum began in December 2000 and the completed facility opened its doors to the public of June 2002. The PMCA is the only museum in Southern California devoted entirely to California art.

EXHIBITIONS

OPENING MAY 31, 2009

MAIN GALLERY
You See: The Early Years of the UC Davis Faculty
May 31 - September 20, 2009

Featuring work of five UC Davis faculty members Robert Arneson, Roy De Forest, Manuel Neri, Wayne Thiebaud and William T. Wiley, all five artists came to teach at UC Davis between 1960 and 1965. The five artists are sometimes identified with "California funk," characterized by bawdy irreverence, iconoclasm and self-deprecating humor. Their work was instrumental in creating a regional movement that served as a counterpoint to the established New York art scene. Featuring over 36 works, Arneson's enormous ceramic ode to his '50s-era Davis tract home, will anchor the show, together with three Thiebaud masterworks and three of Neri's most admired figurative sculptures. "Crash," Arneson's bronze homage to Jackson Pollock, is also included, together with rarely seen paintings, drawings and prints by De Forest and Wiley.

SIDE GALLERY
Edith Heath: Tabletop Modernist
May 31 - September 20, 2009

This exhibition focuses on the life of Edith Heath and her defining influence on California design through pottery. Popular at dinner tables across the country and featured in many of the early American industrial design exhibitions, Heath Ceramics helped define mid-century modernism. Edith Heath began as a studio potter in San Francisco. She established Heath Ceramics in 1947 to meet the growing demand for her dinnerware and accessories. She focused on simple, minimalist style although her process was characterized by innovation and experimentation. Her use of unique glazes and clay underscored her belief that quality does not have to be sacrificed for mass production and accessibility. Her creations were also a reflection of the post-war attitudes toward a more relaxed American lifestyle, especially in California where indoor-outdoor living was taking root.

BACK GALLERY
Traffic
May 31 - September 20, 2009

Benny Chan has worked diligently over the past few years to photograph overhead views of Los Angeles freeways during the height of rush hour. Using a camera designed and manufactured exclusively for this project, Chan has taken pictures from high in the sky from a helicopter and has rendered monumental sized prints. With his almost omniscient perspective, Mr. Chan explores and sheds light on the conundrum of traffic as a symptom of a society being unable to keep pace with its own expansion, while at the same time rendering a serene beauty from the chaotic scene.

PROJECT ROOM
Annie Lapin: Parallel Deliria Iteration
May 31 - September 20, 2009

The Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) is proud to present Los Angeles painter Annie Lapin’s Parallel Deliria Iteration, which the artist describes as “a never ending painting in three dimensions.” The installation is comprised of recycled components from previous installations, discarded works from Lapin’s studio practice, and new elements added in response to the architecture of the PMCA Project Room.

UPCOMING EVENTS

"Traffic!" Panel Discussion
June 21, 2009 3 - 4 pm

Panel Discussion on urban planning and traffic in Los Angeles Panelists include: Benny Chan, photographer; Douglas Failing, District Director, Dept. of Transportation; Hilary Norton, Executive Director, FAST; Simon Pastucha, Urban Design Studio. Free with admission Free for PMCA Members RSVP to 626-568-3665 x17

Rock Me on the Terrace (on the Terrace)
July 10, 2009 8pm - 12am

Come join the PMCA in celebrating its second annual music and art celebration Rock Me on the Terrace (on the Terrace). Famous for its views of the city and the San Gabriel Mountains, the PMCA’s breathtaking rooftop terrace is a perfect venue to enjoy the combination of great music and great art. The evening will feature live performances by Cydney Robinson, Automatique, and Gypsy River Haunts; an exclusive nighttime viewing of our exhibitions You See: The Early Years of the UC Davis Studio Art Faculty, Edith Heath: Tabletop Modernist, Traffic!, and Annie Lapin: Parallel Deliria Iteration; and a cash bar! The entry fee for the event is $5 for Students, $7 for General Admission, and FREE for PMCA members.

Family Day
July 12, 2009 3 - 5 pm

Come participate in fun art projects for the whole family based on our current exhibitions. All ages are welcome. Free with admission Free for PMCA Members RSVP to 626-568-3665 x17