Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art (California) facts for kids
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Established | 1992 |
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Location | Malibu, California |
Type | Art museum |
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is a cool art gallery. You can find it on the campus of Pepperdine University in sunny Malibu, California. This museum started in 1992 thanks to a generous gift. Frederick R. Weisman, a famous art collector, gave $1.5 million to create it. The museum shows art from all over the world. But it especially loves to feature art made in California. It's a great place to see amazing paintings and sculptures!
Contents
The Museum's Story
How the Museum Began
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art opened its doors in 1992. Frederick R. Weisman was a very important person in its creation. He gave a large gift of $1.5 million to start the museum. He also loaned about $3 million worth of modern art from his own collection. This helped the museum have many wonderful pieces right away.
Who Was Frederick R. Weisman?
Frederick R. Weisman was a successful businessman. He made his money as the president of Hunt Foods. He also helped distribute Toyota cars. Mr. Weisman loved art and helping others. He supported many art groups and charities. He also helped create the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation in Los Angeles. Another museum, the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, was also named after him.
Leaders of the Museum
Nora Halpern was the first director of the museum. She had worked with Mr. Weisman's art collection before. She left the university in 1994 due to some disagreements. In 1995, Michael Zakian became the new director. He led the museum for more than 25 years. He helped bring many exciting exhibits to Pepperdine. Mr. Zakian passed away on January 14, 2020.
Amazing Art Shows
The museum has hosted many fantastic art shows over the years. These shows let visitors see works by famous artists.
Rodin's Sculptures
In 2001, the museum presented Rodin's Obsession: The Gates of Hell. This exhibit featured 30 sculptures by the famous artist Auguste Rodin. His work is known for showing strong emotions.
Chuck Close's Portraits
In 2015, the museum showed Chuck Close: Face Forward. This was a special look back at the art of Chuck Close. It included over 70 prints by the artist. Close is famous for his large, detailed portraits.
Andy Warhol's Pop Art
In 2016, the museum hosted Andy Warhol: Life and Legends. This show displayed some of Andy Warhol's most well-known works. Warhol was a leader in the Pop Art movement. His art often featured everyday objects and celebrity images.