Long Beach Museum of Art

Crafted Beauty: The Lipton Family Gift to LBMA

The Long Beach Museum of Art has a long-standing tradition of showcasing artists working with wood as their primary medium. In celebration of the Museum’s 75-year exhibition history, the complete collection of 45 woodworks donated in 2009 by Dr. Irving and Mari Lipton—renowned collectors of contemporary wood art—will be on display.

Dr. Lipton’s passion for wood art began in 1972 when he purchased his first piece, a jewelry box by Michael Graham, at the Westwood Art Fair for 35 dollars. This acquisition ignited a lifelong pursuit, leading him to assemble one of the most significant collections of postwar woodwork. The exhibition highlights masterful works by influential artists such as Bob Stocksdale, Frank E. Cummings, Ron Kent, Hayley and Todd Hoyer, Brenda Behrens, and others.

Featured Artwork: Victor Wood, Ascent Series, Lidded Container, 1995, Fiddleback blackwood, pink ivory, Gift of Peter Lipton and Candace Lipton Kopel 2009.62.a.b

Preserving Progress: WPA Masterpieces and Colonel Charles L. Heartwell Gifts

The Long Beach Museum of Art is thrilled to showcase an exploration of artistic resilience and community enrichment through a selection of works from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project. Established in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, this landmark initiative provided vital support to artists during the Great Depression, fostering the creation of hundreds of thousands of artworks nationwide. These pieces not only sustained artists but also captured the spirit of the era, preserving a visual record of American life. This exhibition is further enriched by generous gifts from Col. Charles L. Heartwell, the first president of the Long Beach Water Department’s board of water commissioners, whose contributions helped shape the museum’s permanent collection.

Featured Artwork: Maurice Braun, Mountain Ranch, Oil on Canvas, 24 ¼ x 29 ¼ inches, Gift from Colonel L. Heartwell 60-1.138

Collective Vision: Collector's Circle Museum Acquisitions

As part of the Long Beach Museum of Art’s 75th-anniversary celebration, the Museum honors the impact of the Collectors Circle. In 1994, the Long Beach Museum of Art established this membership category with two key missions: involving the community in the selection of artworks for the permanent collection and raising funds to acquire significant works of art. The exhibition Collective Vision: Collector’s Circle Museum Acquisitions highlights the generosity of its members, whose support has facilitated the acquisition of more than 100 significant artworks across various media, enriching the Museum’s holdings and exhibitions. Through their contributions, Collector’s Circle patrons played a vital role in preserving and promoting artistic achievement for future generations.

Featured Artwork: Sean Cheetham, 656 ½ Tula Rosa, 2007, Oil on panel, 36 x 51 x 2 inches

Purchased with funds contributed by the 2008 Long Beach Museum of Art Collectors Circle with additional funds contributed by Dr. Matthew and Roberta Jenkins, Bud and Mary Ellen Kilsby, Pam and Dan Munzer, Ginger and Luther Nussbaum, Dennis and Suzanne Poulsen, David Schnur and Ronald Nelson, Ania and Mike Sullivan, Marsha Jeffer and a gift in memory of Jean and Charles Lane 2008.20

LBMA Members receive free admission, access to exclusive previews, and more. Join a dynamic artistic community that celebrates the power of the creative process, the value of art education, and the importance of art. today.

DISCLAIMER — Advance online tickets to the Long Beach Museum of Art are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Host or Publisher Long Beach Museum of Art