Shaping the Collection - Public Opening

The Long Beach Museum of Art is pleased to announce Shaping the Collection: Recent Acquisitions 2022-2024

Please join us for an opening reception on Saturday, April 5, at LBMA Downtown.

• LBMA Member Happy Hour: 2:00-4:00 pm*
• Public Opening: 2:00 - 7:00 pm

*Members will receive two drink tickets upon check-in.

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From 2022 to 2024, the Long Beach Museum of Art has been honored to receive over 250 donated artworks, enriching its permanent collection. This exhibition offers a glimpse into the collection's growth in recent years, furthering the museum’s 75-year legacy of collecting. The museum is proud to showcase a selection of these donated works, many of which are being displayed for the first time.

At the heart of this collection are the collectors who have supported these artists by acquiring their works and believing in their unique visions. Their personal investments allow artists to push the boundaries of their ideas and voices, enabling them to fully realize their creative aspirations. As the world evolves, so too does the voice of the artist. With education at the core of our mission, it is essential that our collection reflects the diverse narratives that speak to both our present moment and our history.

Notable contributions include the collection of Orange County collector Ken Cave, which offers a unique insight into the early UCI Masters Graduate program and the foundations of the artist-run platform Newspace, featuring artists such as Jay McCafferty and Dan McCleary. Another generous donor, Judith Hendler, contributed over 30 works to the museum in 2022, including ceramics by renowned artists Vivika and Otto Heino, as well as works by woodturners Bruce Bernson and Dan Kvitka.

Dr. and Mrs. Selden Beebe, longtime supporters from Long Beach, have also made significant contributions, donating 18 diverse works over the years. Among these is a series of works on paper by the social realist artist Ben Shahn. In 2023, Los Angeles-based collectors Dan and Jeanne Fauci donated five works by Huntington Beach artist Ed Templeton, whose first U.S. solo museum exhibition, Wires Crossed, was hosted by LBMA in 2024.

Additionally, artists such as Evan Nesbit, Roger Herman, Patrick Angus, Tom Paiva, Gerardo Monterrubio, and Tony Marsh, who have been featured in solo or group exhibitions at LBMA, are now part of our permanent collection.
The strong bond between the museum and its supporters has allowed the institution to remain a dynamic, forward-thinking community hub that Southern California has known for the past 75 years. We are deeply committed to maintaining this legacy and continuing to evolve in the years to come.

Featured Artwork: Patrick Angus, Ross MacLean, Playwright, 1990, Acrylic on canvas, 32 x 26 inches, Gift of Hilary Harris and Liz Means 2024.15

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