SAN DIEGO – From the collection of the San Diego History Center (SDHC), Creating an Artistic Basis: Local Artists Groups from the Early 20th Century features 40 works on oil from San Diego’s most celebrated artists — Charles Fries, Maurice Braun, Charles Reiffel, Belle Baranceanu, Edith White and more.
“The works now on view are but a small fraction of SDHC’s permanent fine art collection,” said David Kahn, executive director of the San Diego History Center. “We intend to have art from our collection on view as a cornerstone of the offerings of the History Center.”
Works created by these artists are diverse in subject matter, style and medium, but together explore the rich history of San Diego art. Regional painters of the early 20th century were often influenced by religious philosophies, the diverse topography of the area, prominent local citizens, and government sponsored programs. Creating an Artistic Basis
presents works created by artists who formed local schools of thought and worked together to promote and exhibit each other’s art. Organized in four distinct schools, the exhibition offers insight into four unique groups of local artists: The Theosophical Society of Point Loma, Contemporary Artists of San Diego, San Diego Moderns and the
works from the Great Depression and the WPA era.
Creating an Artistic Basis presents plein air, portraiture and works created as public art through President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. On view at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park through April 30, 2011, Creating an Artistic Basis highlights the art that is the birth of the San Diego art and culture community.
