Benton Museum of Art facts for kids
The museum's courtyard, viewed from College Avenue
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| Established | 1958 |
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| Location | 211 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, United States |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | 18,783 items |
| Visitors | 18,000 per year |
| Owner | Pomona College |
| Public transit access | Claremont  |
The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College is an exciting art museum in Claremont, California. People often call it the Benton. It is part of Pomona College. The museum opened in 2020. It took the place of the Pomona College Museum of Art, which had been around since 1958. The Benton Museum has about 18,783 amazing artworks. These include old Italian panel paintings, art from Native American cultures, and many American and European prints, drawings, and photographs. It is free for everyone to visit.
Contents
Museum History: From Gallery to Benton
Pomona College started an art and design school in 1892. In 1958, the Gladys K. Montgomery Art Center was built. This was the first time the college could show its art collection all in one place. In 1968, the gallery got bigger. A second story was added, almost doubling its size.
A Special Time for Art (1969-1973)
From 1969 to 1973, the gallery had a very special time. The director, Mowry Baden, and curators, Hal Glicksman and Helene Winer, put on many new and exciting art shows. They featured works by artists like James Turrell, Judy Fiskin, Chris Burden, and Peter Shelton. These artists later became very famous. An art historian named Thomas E. Crow said that the art shown here during this time was as important as any art being made anywhere in the world.
Growing and Changing
In 1977, the gallery added another large space for exhibitions. This made the display area twice as big. In 2001, the gallery officially became a museum. A smaller update happened in 2006, adding a new entrance.
The New Benton Museum (2020)
In 2020, the museum moved into a brand new building called the Benton. This new building is much larger than the old one. It has three times more space for showing and storing art. The new museum is named after Janet Inskeep Benton, who was a generous donor. There were some concerns from local residents about moving a historic house to make space for the new building. However, the project went forward. The Benton Museum opened to the public on May 25, 2021.
Museum Design: A Modern Look
The Benton Museum is on the edge of Pomona College's campus. It is next to Claremont's downtown area. The museum was designed by two architecture firms: Machado and Silvetti Associates and Gensler. It cost $44 million to build.
Building Features
The building is shaped like a "U" around a courtyard. It is mostly made of concrete. It also has stained wooden beams that add a decorative touch. The design allows visitors to easily see both into and out of the museum. This makes it feel open and welcoming. The building was designed to be very energy efficient.
What People Think of the Design
Many people have praised the museum's design. Mick Rhodes from the Claremont Courier said the materials used were "clean and cool." He also noted how spacious the galleries felt. Brian T. Allen, writing for National Review, called the museum "a perfect gem." He thought it was a very well-planned building project. Michael J. Lewis from The Wall Street Journal also admired its unique look. He mentioned its concrete walls and wooden parts that give it a classic feel.
Art Collections: What You Can See
The Benton Museum has about 18,783 different art pieces. Its collection includes Italian Renaissance panel paintings. It also has around 6,000 pieces of indigenous American art and artifacts. These range from ancient times to the 20th century. You can also find many American and European prints, drawings, and photographs. Many of the museum's shows focus on artists from Southern California. A former director, Kathleen Howe, said the museum often focuses on "contemporary art with an edge."
Public Art on Campus
The museum also helps take care of several important artworks around Pomona College's campus. These include:
- The Spirit of Spanish Music (1915) by Burt William Johnson
- Prometheus (1930) by José Clemente Orozco
- Genesis (1960) by Rico Lebrun
- Dividing the Light (2007) by James Turrell
In the museum's courtyard, there is a statue called Imbue by Alison Saar. It shows Yemọja, a goddess from the Yoruba religion who helps with childbirth. She is carrying a tall stack of pails on her head.
- Public art at Pomona College
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The Spirit of Spanish Music (1916) by Burt Johnson
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Genesis (1960) by Rico Lebrun
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In the Spirit of Excellence (1989) by Norman Hines
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Dividing the Light (2007) by James Turrell
