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25 Feb 2017
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catalina art

The new museum on Catalina Island, the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Catalina Island Museum, includes an array of fascinating photos, artifacts and exhibits documenting Catalina Island’s diverse history. From soapstone bowls that date from thousands of years ago to whimsical photos of celebrities cavorting in Catalina Island hot spots, visitors can spend hours exploring the expansive new facility.

Catalina history isn’t the only culture spotlighted at the museum. It also features an impressive gallery of Catalina art — specifically plein air paintings. En Plein Air, or open air, is a style of painting where the artist paints from real life, typically standing outside and painting landscapes or other scenes. The new gallery will feature changing exhibits; with the opening exhibit a collection of everyday scenes in Avalon entitled To the Wind that Will Blow Tomorrow. Dozens of exquisite oil paintings dot the gallery, evoking Avalon’s quaint streets and unique community. Supported through the Society of American Plein Air Painters, the second-floor exhibit space is sure to become a haven for art fans and the adjoining outdoor promenade will be home to an array of special events.

Traveling exhibits will also be spotlighted at the museum. The current Bettie Page Uncovered exhibit is garnering attention and museum patrons are already looking forward to the next year’s exhibit by world-renowned glass artist Chihuly.