Baxter Art Gallery facts for kids
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1985 |
| Location | Donald E. Baxter, M.D., Hall (Caltech Campus) |
| Founder | David R. Smith |
The Baxter Art Gallery was a special place at the California Institute of Technology (often called Caltech). It was an art gallery where people could see amazing and new kinds of art. It was started in 1971 by a professor named David R. Smith, who taught literature. He also became the gallery's very first director.
Even though it was a small gallery, the Baxter Art Gallery became well-known across the country. It was famous for its exciting and sometimes daring exhibits of modern art. It showed art that made people think and look at things in new ways!
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What Was the Baxter Art Gallery?
The Baxter Art Gallery was more than just a place to hang paintings. It was a lively space that brought new and interesting art to the Caltech campus. It helped students and the public explore the world of contemporary art.
A Place for New Art
The gallery was known for showing art that was fresh and sometimes surprising. This kind of art is called contemporary art, which means art made in our time. The gallery was brave enough to show art that other places might not.
Who Started It?
Professor David R. Smith was the person who had the idea to create the gallery. He was a professor at Caltech and loved both literature and art. He worked hard to make the gallery a reality and helped it become a place where important new art could be seen.
Why Did the Gallery Close?
Sadly, the Baxter Art Gallery closed its doors in 1985. This happened because of money problems. Even though it was very popular and important, it couldn't keep going.
What Happened Next?
When the gallery closed, its history and records were very important. The Smithsonian Institution, which is a famous group of museums and research centers in the United States, asked for all of the gallery's records. They wanted to keep them safe in the Archives of American Art. This shows how important the Baxter Art Gallery was in the art world!
A New Beginning
After the gallery closed, people still wanted to have a place for art in the community. So, in 1989, the ideas and spirit of the Baxter Art Gallery helped create something new. It joined with the Pasadena Arts Workshop to become the Armory Center for the Arts. This new center continues to bring art and creativity to people in the area.
Remembering the Gallery
Today, you can still find reminders of the Baxter Art Gallery. Some of the original posters from its past art shows are hanging in Baxter Hall at Caltech. These posters are a cool way to remember the gallery and the amazing art it once shared.
