Yosemite Renaissance, an exhibit originating at the Museum in Yosemite Valley, is celebrating its 25th year at the Kings Art Center with an exhibit of 49 paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures. Drawn from over 700 entries, this year’s exhibit includes a broad range of works from the representational to the abstract, all interpreting the majesty of Yosemite and the Sierra.
The goals of Yosemite Renaissance are to bring together the works of contemporary artists that do not simply duplicate traditional representations, to establish a continuum with past generations of Yosemite artists, and to help re-establish visual art as a major interpretive medium of the landscape and a stimulus for the protection of the environment. Historically, the arts have played a major role in the establishment of our parks. It is the hope of Yosemite Renaissance that they can be just as important in future efforts to preserve, protect and expand our parks.
The artists included in Yosemite Renaissance XXIX are: Rebecca Alex, Jody Sears Barbuta, Annie Barrett Cashner, Robin Black, Ann C. Buell, Jerilynn Bush, Richard Castillo, Jeffrey Clark, Stephen Curl, Starr Davis, Dean Detrick Jr. , Dawna Ellis, Steve Emery, Sandy Follett, Denise Gilroy, Susan Lea Hackett, Juanita Hagberg, Tony Hertz, David Hoffman, Vaughn Hutchins, Susan J. Klein, Kathy Kleinsteiber, David Lee, Marek Matusz, G. Dan Mitchell, Jennifer Murray, William Neill, Glenn Nelson, Penny Otwell, Marc Pandone, Bonnie Peterson, Cozette Phillips, Nancy Robbins, George Robertson, Gayle Simpson, Jeff Skelly, Mike Tauber, Vicki Thomas, Keith Walklet, Sarah Watts, Victoria Weller, Kathy Anne White, Melissa Woodburn and John Yerden.
Yosemite Renaissance XXIX will be on display in the Kings Art Center’s Marcellus Gallery. In our Members Gallery, the center will present an exhibition from our permanent collection.
Given our limited exhibition space and the many requests we receive from artists to exhibit here at the center, it is a rare occasion when we have time in the schedule to present work from our permanent collection.
The work presented in this exhibit is by current or former members and in a way represents a major part of our history. Names such as Bill Banister, Nellie Cooke, Evalynne Griswold, Larry Heinze, Bob & Sallie Marcellus, Paula Montgomery, Helda Pires, Ralph Powell, Lennie Salmon and Barbara Spear, are among the many who were important contributors to our art community and whose work can be found in our collection.
Although some of the work selected for this exhibit are “old favorites,” we always relish the opportunity to receive and present new additions to the collection. Included in this exhibit are watercolors by Hienze and Spear. These recent additions are now part of our permanent collection, and, along with the other works in the collection, will be protected and displayed when time in the calendar permits.
Seeing this work again is like the pleasure of visiting old friends.
Exhibition dates are June 7 to July 26. Regular gallery hours are 11am-4pm Wednesday-Friday, and 12-3pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call 584-1065.
John Robinson is curator at Kings Art Center.