Past Exhibitions
2021 - 2022 Season
Ferrari Gallery
September 18, 2021 - January 2, 2022
Making Your Mark presents a rich array of works on paper, exploring the various methods and materials used in modern artistic practice. Showcasing 50 superb prints and drawings, we sample the breadth and beauty the Hechinger Collection, which has the unique theme of hand tools and hardware. Focusing on the creative process, the works represent some of the varied media and tools at an artist’s disposal. Making Your Mark’s celebration of the visual and conceptual aspects of drawing and printmaking educates and inspires in the best way, leaving viewers engaged, and rapt with curiosity.
Some of the most influential artists of the twentieth century are featured in the exhibition, including Jim Dine, Richard Estes, Walker Evans, Howard Finster, Ke Francis, Jacob Lawrence, Claes Oldenburg, James Rosenquist, and Wayne Thiebaud.
Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.
Edgar Soberón, The Kiss, 1989, Color pastel on wove paper, Photograph by IA&A, © Edgar Soberón
Jeff Spaulding, Hammerhead III, 1983, Graphite and charcoal on wove paper, Photographed by IA&A, © Jeff Spaulding and Curator’s Office
Valley Focus: Deborah Barr and David Olivant
January 18 - March 20, 2022
Marking the Carnegie Arts Center’s 10th Anniversary Season, it is exciting to continue a tradition of celebrating some of the region’s most influential and distinguished artists. With deep roots in our region, careers that span decades, and work that has been seen and appreciated well beyond California’s borders, these artists represent the great diversity of expression that can exist in – and even emanate from – a community such as ours.
This year we turn our Valley Focus to the work of two distinguished artists, Deborah Barr and David Olivant. Both work in mixed media formats, and both have been sharing their skills and knowledge with young artists in our region for decades. Deborah has been on the faculty of the Modesto Junior College Art Department for 20 years; David recently retired after more than 25 years teaching in the Art Department at CSU, Stanislaus. Both artists present us with works that are complex in the use of material, as well as in the content and meaning they embody. Viewers are encouraged to spend time delving into these visual and conceptual layers, discovering stories, ideas, and emotions worth exploring.
We were forced to postpone this exhibition from the previous season, and now are excited to present the work of these artists who have spent many years nurturing and mentoring Central Valley students. The unique visions and voices they share with us in their work have had a profound impact on the region’s art scene. We hope you experience the exhibition as an adventurous journey with these two talented educators as your guides.
David Olivant
Upstream Vacation
mixed media assemblage
Deborah Barr
Tilted
oil and silver leaf on clayboard
March 29 - May 28, 2022
Pervasive Innovation: Ceramic Sculpture in Northern California provides an overview of the dynamic and creative ceramics scene in this region with work by 16 artists from the late 1960s to the present.
After centuries of considering ceramics and pottery as a less distinguished art form than painting or sculpture, artists in California – beginning in the late 1950s – found a new voice and style all their own working in large scale ceramic sculpture. This exhibition takes a look into the unique evolution of creativity in this one medium, in this one region — our own.
What’s become known as the Northern California Clay Movement began 60 years ago with the work of Peter Voulkos at U.C. Berkeley and Robert Arneson at U.C. Davis. Their work broke new ground for the ceramic arts, moving away from the decorative and utilitarian and toward sculpture in clay that transcended all traditions. Their students and following generations have continued to create a thriving culture of experimentation and innovation in ceramics here in Northern California.
The 16 artists featured here represent several generations and five decades. Artists in the exhibition include Robert Arneson, Lorraine Bonner, Titia Barnett-Gudde, Stephen De Staebler, Arthur Gonzalez, Don Hall, Susannah Israel, Vaea Marx, Tony Natsoulas, Cathi Newlin, Lisa Reinerston, Ruth Rippon, Ellen Roehne, John Toki, Peter Voulkos, and Wesley Wright.
EVENTS
Artist Talk with Bay Area sculptor Susannah Israel, Friday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. followed by a free public reception from 7-9 p.m.
Family Friday: Play with Clay, April 15, 7-8 p.m. Free. Sponsored by Laguna Clay Company.
Saturday Studio: Clay Faces, April 23, drop-in 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. $5 per maker; $3 CAC members.
Gallery Conversation with curator Lisa McDermott and sculptor & author John Toki, Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m.
John Toki
Earth Shift
Lisa Reinerston
Breaking Point
Susannah Israel
Scribe
Lobby Galleries
October 13, 2021 - January 23, 2022
Elements of Renewal is a juried art exhibition to celebrate the Carnegies 10th year anniversary as it rose from the ashes from a devastating fire in 2005.
Jackson Nichols
Stevinson 5-28-08
photograph
Jackson Nichols
Facing the Bull
photograph
Festa: A Celebration of Portuguese Faith & Culture
Photographs by Jackson Nichols
February 1 - April 30, 2022
Festa: A Celebration of Portuguese Faith & Culture includes more than 60 images captured by documentary photographer Jackson Nichols over the past 30 years. In compiling this impressive body of work, Nichols says the goal of the exhibition is to bring an awareness of the unique Portuguese-Californian culture and traditions to the greater community.
The festa is the most common and best-known event throughout the Portuguese diaspora in the Golden State. Festas provide a place to gather, to preserve identity and native language, and to express religious tradition. With nearly 100 of these events taking place in cities from Arcata in the north to San Diego in the south, the festa is the bond that connects generations and communities.
Nichols uses black and white film, traditional 35mm and medium format cameras. He prints all of his silver gelatin prints at his home darkroom in Fremont, CA. Nichols’ lens captures moments at these events, both unexpected and magical, that transcend the commonplace to reveal the humor and humanity of the participants.
The exhibition also includes a selection of photos from bloodless bullfights taken around Northern California over the past decade, highlighting the drama and artistry that takes place inside the arena, while also revealing the emotion and camaraderie of the participants backstage in the paddock as they prepare to perform before the crowd.
Many of the images are included in a book that is available for purchase in the CAC gift shop. Nichols will be presenting an illustrated talk about his work and signing copies of his book on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Additional special events highlighting Portuguese culture are being added; check the calendar of Events for complete dates, times and details.
The exhibition is sponsored by Lopes Livestock, Western Meat Processing, Margo Souza, Edward Sousa, David & Marla Sousa, Meras Water Solutions, M&S Portuguese Bakery, Pena Taurina Sol y Sombra, and Grupo Forcados Amadores Luso Americanos.
Farms & Fields is an annual juried exhibition that celebrates the variety and importance of agriculture in the Central Valley. Here in California’s heartland, we produce over 360 products, including fruit, nuts, livestock, dairy, and vegetables. The bounty of the region is represented here not only by the variety of commodities depicted, but also in the number of artists featured and the wide range of creative media included. This year, artists from throughout Northern and Central California submitted images that reflect the past, present, and future of valley agriculture.
Jurors for the exhibition were Penny Otwell, painter, and Lisa McDermott, Director, Carnegie Arts Center.
Awards
Best of Show
Anne Whitehurst, Tomato Field, Red Rock Ranch
Awards of Merit
Kate Jackson, Corny Experiment
Mary-Ellen Latino, Humble Bounty
Honorable Mentions
Susan Conner, Solar Farm
Chella Gonsalves, Eastside and Down
David Patton, Hills and Valley
Marilyn Zinner, Where the Harvest Happens
Artists included in the exhibition
Anna Barber, Ripon
Alyn Brereton, Modesto
William Calvin, Modesto
Tommi Lou Carosella, Modesto
Susan Conner, Altaville
Patricia Davis, Ceres
Margaret Eldred, Davis
Barbara Gill, Modesto
Chella Gonsalves, Modesto
Don Hall, Turlock
Tonia Hemme, Merced
Kate Jackson, Merced
Lucinda Kasser, Stockton
Mary-Ellen Latino, Nipomo
Scott Lundgren, Turlock
Catherine McLean, Modesto
Julio Medina, Ceres
Rhett Regina Owings, Turlock
David Patton, Groveland
Vivian Patton, Groveland
Sally Ruddy, Waterford
Deanna Schmitz, Merced
Steven Showers, Oakdale
Michael Souza, Turlock
Jim Ullrich, Turlock
Monique Wales, Oakhurst
Anne Whitehurst, Fresno
Lorraine Wilcox, Turlock
Evan Young, Sonora
Marilyn Zinner, Oakdale
Steven Showers
Altamont Crossing
watercolor
Anne Whitehurst
Tomato Field, Red Rock Ranch
oil on canvas
Mary-Ellen Latino
Humble Bounty
fabric arts
Yosemite Renaissance 37
August 9 - October 1, 2022
Yosemite Renaissance was founded in 1984 by the Yosemite Art Guild, a consortium of local Yosemite landscape artists. Their mission... “to motivate artists to develop diverse interpretations of Yosemite and its varied landscapes.” Since then, more than 4,600 artists have participated in Yosemite Renaissance programs, setting the bar for creative excellence and inspiration in the Yosemite area. Artists from around the country have been showcased in Yosemite Renaissance’s annual exhibit, featuring artwork depicting Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. The Carnegie Arts Center has hosted the traveling exhibition for most of its long history, and we are proud to do so again.
For a list of artists and images from the current exhibition, visit https://www.yosemiterenaissance.org/yosemite-renaissance-37-2022
June 3 - 25, 2022
The Carnegie Arts Center will present its 8th annual Youth Art Exhibition this Summer, Ready, Set, Show!, that will help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Carnegie Arts Center! Young artists in grades K-12 are invited to present their creative work to the public in the CAC’s beautiful Ferrari Gallery, a museum quality exhibition space.
July 6 - September 3, 2022
From more than 200 entries, jurors have selected 88 works that make up the annual Carnegie Art Showcase. The annual exhibition is open to entries in all media, which this year includes paintings, watercolors, drawings, stained glass, ceramics, wood, photographs, fiber arts, collage, mixed media, and digital works.
Click here for more information on the exhibition