SANTA PAULA, CA – Then and Now: A Look Back at the Santa Paula Art Show opens at the Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th Street, Santa Paula, on Saturday, March 3, 2012 with an opening reception from 4 – 6 p.m. For more information please call the Museum at 805-525-5554 or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org.

With the approach of the 75th anniversary of the famous Santa Paula Art Show (which opens at the Blanchard Community Library on March 13, 2012), the Museum is opening Then and Now: A Look Back at the Santa Paula Art Show. It is a juried art show set to emulate the very first Santa Paula Art Show which had a stipulation that all of the works submitted be of subject matter within an 8 mile radius of Santa Paula. There will be exploration of what in our local landscape has changed and what has stayed the same. “We had an overwhelming response from artists far and wide”, said Jennifer Heighton, Executive Director and Curator at the Museum. “Over 100 artworks were carefully juried by the Museum’s curatorial staff. I think our visitors will love the exhibit, there are some really beautiful and fascinating pieces”. There will be approximately 40 pieces hanging in the exhibit which will be featured in the Douglas Shively Memorial Gallery. All artworks will be for sale and proceeds will directly benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum.

The Santa Paula Art Museum is the repository and exhibition hall for the Santa Paula Collection. Containing over 300 pieces, among the collection’s most famous artists are the works of the Botkes, both Jessie Arms and Cornelis. Some of the other represented plein air artists are Robert Clunie, Al Dempster, Ralph Holmes, Paul Lauritz, Emil Kosa, Jr., Douglas Shively and Milford Zornes. The valuable assemblage represents the accumulation of award winning entries in the Santa Paula Art Show which began in 1937. It remains the oldest juried show in California and the Collection is recognized as one of the finest of its kind in the state. Also featured are rotating exhibits of contemporary and local artists. Through the generous support of the Limoneira Company we occupy their historic 10th Street Building. The classic two-story structure was designed by famed local architect Roy Wilson, Sr. and was built in 1924. It was designed to accommodate Limoneira’s headquarters.

The exhibit will run until July 8th, 2012, and may be viewed during regular Museum hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM, and Sundays, 12 PM – 4 PM. The Museum is located at 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060.