Everything in Its Place: Selections from the Permanent Collection of California Center for the Arts Escondido Gallery

 by Patricia Frischer

Therman Statom - Dientos de Naturalesa (study)

We congratulate the California Center for the Arts, Escondido not only for surviving since the beginning of its funding in 1985 (i.e. 40 years!) and for last year creating a master plan to go forward. It has one of the most impressive art gallery display spaces in the county and they have now made a decision to display their permanent collection.

When you view a showing of the permanent collection of a museum or gallery, you get some insight into their positioning within the art world. Is it a boutique collection reflecting the purchasing decision makers? Does it aim for an encyclopedia  approach with one of everything? Is it very specific to a genre or time or location. It will be interesting to watch CCAE in the next years to see how the collection develops.

We are so very interesting in the idea of passing on the collection impulse to the whole community. Showing young people how to make choices helps them to develop a sense of the value of the arts.

This collection might be small in numbers, but it has some marvelous very large art works. One of the impressive things about this display in the acquisition of the study works for two sculptures, Jay Johnson (a SD Art Prize Recipient) and Thermon Statom. Honoring artists no longer with us like Jen Trute, nationally known artists like Tony Berlant, artists like Doris Bittar that tackles international issues, artists embodying diversity like Mark Jackson, artists with tremendous senses of humor like Matthew Freedman, this is truly an exhibition with Everything in its place.

This show finished on Aug 17, but hopefully in the future there will more chances to see the permanent collection in other venues and other works from this collection at the CCAE Gallery. 

Therman Statom - Dientos de Naturalesa (study)

Doris Bittar - In the Sun's Blood

Jay Johnson - We Attempt to Contain

Jay Johnson - We Attempt to Contain (study drawing)

Matthew Freedman - Self-Portrait with Underwear Pulled To High

Matthew Freedman - Self-Portrait with Underwear Pulled To High (detail)

Tony Berlant - The Perfect Spot

Mark Jackson

Jen Trute

Current Museum Exhibition and Visual Arts Manager, Rokhsane Havaida

California Center for the Arts, Escondido Gallery
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido CA 92025
Entrance to a museum with the word 'MUSEUM' displayed above the doorway, surrounded by plants and rocks.
Wednesday – Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday1 pm - 5 pm
Monday – Tuesday - closed

Showing until Nov 2nd is XICANA! San Diego in collaboration with the Experimentally Structured Museum of Art (ESMoA) composed of only works by female Chicana artists from Los Angeles and San Diego. A bonus large scale work by Louis Verdad: TONÁNTZIN is all about female goddesses.