Riverside Art Museum facts for kids
Built 1929, originally the YWCA
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| Established | 1967 |
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| Location | 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, California |
| Type | Art museum |
The Riverside Art Museum is a cool art museum located in the historic Mission Inn area of Riverside, California. It's a non-profit organization that uses art to talk about important topics. The museum also offers art classes and fun events. Their goal is to inspire people and help build a stronger community.
The building itself was designed by a famous architect named Julia Morgan in 1929. It was first built for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). YWCAs were important places where women could gather and be part of city life. In 1967, the Riverside Art Association bought the building. They wanted more space to show art and offer more classes to everyone. The building became a special historic place, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1982.
Contents
Museum History: From YWCA to Art Hub
In 1929, the Riverside YWCA chose a spot near the Mission Inn for their new building. Building projects needed money, so Frank Augustus Miller, who owned the Mission Inn, helped them. He convinced the YWCA to build next to his inn.
The YWCA leaders hired architect Julia Morgan to design the building. Mr. Miller wanted a building that looked like the Mission Revival Style architecture. But Morgan had different ideas! She designed the building in Mediterranean Revival and Classical Revival styles. She even added a swimming pool, which was a big hit.
In 1960, the Riverside Art Center started raising money. They wanted to buy the YWCA building, which was for sale. The building was big and perfect for new art shows and classes. On July 5, 1967, the YWCA officially sold the building to the Riverside Arts Center.
In 1982, the building was named a Registered Historic Place. It also became a historic landmark for the city of Riverside.
Later, in 1992, the building got a big makeover. The City of Riverside and many generous people helped pay for it. They added a system to control the temperature and humidity, a library, and a glass roof over the garden area. They also made more space for offices, art shows, storage, and the kitchen.
Building Design: A Mix of Styles
Julia Morgan's design for the building is very special. It uses strong reinforced concrete, wooden frames, and glass doors. The roof is covered with terra-cotta tiles. This gave the building a modern feel next to the older Mission Inn.
The building mixes parts of Mediterranean and Classical architecture. It has a unique "tri-block design." The first floor originally had a swimming pool, an open-air atrium (a fancy open courtyard), and a gymnasium. Upstairs, on the second floor, there were bedrooms, offices, and meeting rooms. There was even a small stage. On the roof, there was a badminton court!
A garden and an outdoor fireplace were added in the late 1930s. These were built to remember Ruth Muir, a former leader of the YWCA.
Art Shows and Collections
The Riverside Art Museum usually puts on about 20 art shows each year. Some of these are travelling exhibitions, meaning they move from one place to another. These shows often feature art that talks about important social topics. They also show different themes and art techniques.
The museum has a permanent collection of about 1500 art pieces. This includes works by famous artists like Karl Benjamin, Rex Brandt, Millard Sheets, and even Marc Chagall. You can even see some of their permanent collection online. This includes art by Leonard Baskin, Doris Rosenthal, and prints from the Sosaku-Hanga movement.
The museum also loves to show art made by students and people from the community. Past shows have included artists from all over the world. They've also featured design awards from the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Programs and Activities
The Riverside Art Museum offers many fun and educational programs. They have art classes and workshops for people of all ages. You can join community art projects, take tours of the museum, or even have your birthday party there!
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
A new and exciting part of the Riverside Art Museum opened in June 2022. It's called The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. This center is a partnership between the museum, the City of Riverside, and the famous comedian Cheech Marin.
"The Cheech" is home to Cheech Marin's own private collection of Chicano art. Cheech Marin said, "Together, we hope to bring every aspect of Chicano art to this region as well as the rest of the world. We have something wonderful to give." The Cheech is located at 3581 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside.
See also
