Sonoma Valley Museum of Art facts for kids
| Established | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sonoma, California, United States |
| Type | Art museum |
| Visitors | 16,500 (2009) |
The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (often called the SVMA) is an exciting art museum in Sonoma, California, United States. It opened in 1998. The museum shows amazing art by artists from the local area, across the country, and even around the world. They focus on modern and contemporary art.
Contents
History of the Museum
The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art started in 1998. It is the only museum in Sonoma that focuses on modern and contemporary art.
Cool Museum Features
In 2011, the museum opened the Stanley Abercrombie and Paul Vieyra Art Library. This library has about 2,500 books about art, architecture, and design. It's a great place for anyone to look up information. In 2016, the Museum Store opened. It sells unique items made by local artists and gifts from other countries.
Museum Building and Power
The SVMA has a large gallery space of 3,000 square feet. It also has other smaller areas for art. In 2010, the museum added a special solar electric system. This system creates over 90% of the museum's electricity. This helps the museum be more eco-friendly!
In November 2022, a car accidentally crashed into the front window of the museum. The damaged area was quickly fixed. A fun comic about a car crash was put on the boarded-up part.
Art Exhibitions
The museum shows beautiful art by artists from the local area, the country, and other regions. The SVMA does not own its own art collection. Instead, they borrow artworks from private collections, artists, and other museums for their shows.
Every year, the museum displays art made by 4th and 5th graders. This special show is called "Art Rewards the Student." In 2019, about 12,700 people visited the museum's art shows and educational programs. The SVMA usually has one or two art exhibitions happening at the same time.
Famous Art Shows
The museum has shown art by many famous artists. Some of these include Richard Diebenkorn, David Hockney, Auguste Rodin, and Mark di Suvero. They bring in a wide variety of amazing works for visitors to see.
Eco Chic: Sustainable Swedish Fashion
In early 2011, the museum hosted an exhibition called "Eco Chic." This show featured "Gron Mode," which means "Green Fashion" in Swedish. It showed clothing by Swedish fashion designers. The goal was to teach people about fashion, sustainability, and living a green lifestyle. The exhibit displayed clothes and explained how they were made. This show was created by the Swedish Institute and the Consulate General of Sweden in San Francisco.
Fletcher Benton: The Artist's Studio
From November 2010 to February 2011, the SVMA had a special show about San Francisco artist Fletcher Benton. He is known for his kinetic art, which is art that moves. The exhibition explored how Benton gets his ideas and how he creates his sculptures. It showed his large artworks and smaller models. There were also big photographs, sounds, and a display that looked like Benton's own art studio.
How the Museum is Run
The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is a non-profit organization. This means it uses its money to support its mission, not to make a profit. Linda Keaton is the director. As of 2022, the museum has 24 full-time and part-time employees. Many volunteers also help out. The museum has a board of 20 members who help guide the museum.
People can become members of the museum. Members get free entry, a newsletter, and discounts at other places. They also get to vote for the Board of Directors each year.
Museum's Goal
The museum's main goal, as stated on its website, is "Building Community Around Art." This means they want to bring people together through art.
Learning and Community Programs
The museum offers many programs for students. These include lectures, workshops, tours, and chances for internships. The "Art Rewards the Students" (ARTS) program sends art teachers into 4th and 5th grade classrooms in Sonoma Valley. Local art groups and community organizations help support this program.
A generous donation of $100,000 from Calvin R. Vander Woude helped expand the museum's public and educational programs. This money, along with other donations, helped turn old storage rooms into new classrooms.
Special Events
The SVMA hosts a few big events each year, plus smaller ones.
Annual Gala Dinner
The museum's annual gala dinner and auction is a big event. It helps raise money for the SVMA's yearly budget and special projects. In 2010, the museum raised over $45,000. In 2021, the gala raised more than $200,000! These events help the museum keep doing its great work.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
The museum has celebrated Dia de los Muertos in the past. They worked with the large Latino community in Sonoma Valley to host artistic and educational events. Art altars were displayed inside the museum. Music, dancing, and a community altar were featured outside the museum entrance.
Images for kids
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Exhibition opening of Richard Shaw and Wanxin Zhang show in 2019
