Santa Paula Historical Society gathers hidden treasures for new exhibit
Santa Paula News
Published: February 09, 2000
On Sunday, February 6, the Santa Paula Historical Society opens a new exhibit at the California Oil Museum (formerly the Santa Paula Union Oil Museum) in Santa Paula. “Hidden Treasures from the Santa Paula Art Collection” presents 19 seldom seen paintings usually hung at five locations around the city of Santa Paula.
As always, the museum opens on Sunday, February 6th at 10 a.m. Rather than close as usual at 4 p.m., the California Oil Museum will hold an opening reception for both the Historical Society’s new exhibit and the Santa Paula Women of History Project’s exhibit, “Celebrating Women: 1900-2000” at 4 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy both exhibits and attend the dual opening reception.
The Santa Paula Art Collection, which consists of over 350 works of art, is one of the largest and most beautiful civic art collections in the state. Because of its size, it is hung at many sites around the city. Artworks hang in school rooms and offices of the elementary and high school districts, at the Blanchard Community Library, in City Hall and at the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital.
For this exhibit, the Santa Paula Historical Society has gathered and displayed some of the finest of these rarely seen gems. Three works of Cornelis Botke, normally hung at Santa Paula High School, at Barbara Webster School and at City Hall, are featured. Two beautiful paintings by Jesse Arms Botke, usually hung at the high school and at City Hall, are displayed. Fourteen more paintings by noted artists Douglas Shively, Robert Clunie and Edgar Payne add to the beauty of this exhibit.
Some newly restored paintings are also included in this exhibit. “China Boy” by John Hubbard Rich was the first painting in the Santa Paula Art Collection to benefit from the Historical Society’s ongoing “Adopt-A-Painting” project. The “Adopt-A-Painting” project raises money to preserve the aging art collection.
Many local citizens have donated money to the “Adopt-A-Painting” project to honor the memory of friends and family members. The next painting to be restored is also displayed in this exhibit. The Historical Society has chosen “Canyon Orchards” by Ralph Holmes to be restored in honor of Richard Cummings, a well-known Santa Paula rancher who passed away in 1999. Over $1,000 have been given to the project in honor of Mr. Cummings.
The public is encouraged to enjoy “Hidden Treasures from the Santa Paula Collection” at the California Oil Museum. The exhibit opens February 6 and continues through June 4. The opening reception is on February 6 at 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are requested. Adults $2, Children $1.
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