Small Artworks Featured in Big Exhibition
Small-scale creations from artists across the country make up “5X5: An Invitational” at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art Nov. 30 through Dec. 18. A public reception on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 4-6 p.m., kicks off an online auction of the artwork (www.westmontmuseum.org/5×5) with proceeds benefitting the museum.
The online auction will be live, beginning Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. through Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. A computer will be available in the museum for bidding. This is the first such auction the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art has hosted.
About 400 artists and well-known public personalities contributed artwork to the exhibition for a total of more than 450 five-inch-square works of art. The pieces range from highly finished, still-life paintings in oil on canvas to lighthearted cartoons by well-known graphic artists.
Nationally recognized artists participating in this benefit exhibition include Charles Arnoldi, Ed Moses, John Baldessari and Robert Mangold. Local luminaries such as printmaker Tony Askew, painter Mary Heebner and actress Carol Burnett have also submitted works. Visitors to the museum or the website will also find a painting by Penelope Gottlieb, a drawing by Hilary Brace, a collage by Susan Tibbles and a hand-colored print by Dane Goodman.
“The response from artists has been amazing, and visitors will have fun discovering the artistic variety of these small works,” says Judy L. Larson, director of the museum and R. Anthony Askew professor in art history. “The online auction provides a way to acquire some original works of art by well-known artists that might otherwise be out of reach. The generous contribution of these artists will help fund the museum’s educational programming for the community.”
“These works will make great holiday gifts,” notes Chris Rupp, the museum’s collection manager and the guest curator of this exhibition.
The Westmont Museum of Art is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sundays. For more information, visit www.westmontmuseum.org or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162 or art@westmont.edu.