OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA REOPENS IN CELEBRATION AND STYLE WITH GOLDEN GALA 2010: A Golden State of Mind Sat., May 8

Oakland, CA, April 13, 2010 – A glittering, golden gala is slated to celebrate the reopening of the

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) and benefit the Museum’s newly transformed and expanded

education programs Saturday, May 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Event Chair Jennifer Walker and

Honorary Chair John Lasseter, Director and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, have announced.

Golden Gala 2010: A Golden State of Mind takes its thematic inspiration from OMCA’s new

identity, reinvented experience, and beautiful new galleries that will be revealed to the public

May 1.

OMCA’s stunning gardens, terraces, and galleries will create the atmosphere for the black-tie evening

that begins with a 6:30 p.m. champagne and Trader Vic’s mai tai reception and entertainment by Times 4 to welcome guests followed by an elegant dinner of California cuisine at 8 p.m. prepared by Barbara Llewellyn Catering. A lively auction and dancing to Wall Street complete the evening following dinner. Guests will have exclusive eaccess to the transformed Galleries of California Art and History during the reception.

Gala Chair Jennifer Walker says: “It’s truly a golden age at the Oakland Museum of California, and we are

thrilled to celebrate this transformation and reopening of the ‘museum of the people’ and raise funds for

our vital and award-winning education programs.”

The Oakland Museum of California has won recognition as one of the finest “teaching” museums in the

country. Program that stimulate creative and critical thinking and excite imaginations annually engage

thousands of Museum visitors. Now in a transformative moment, the Museum’s newly expanded and

restructured education programs incorporate an integrated and interdisciplinary learning experience to

encourage intuitive connections and critical analytical thinking. OMCA education programs for families, school children and adults impact the future of our state by connecting our communities to the cultural and environmental heritage of California.

Gala Tickets

Tickets and table sponsorships for the Oakland Museum of California Golden Gala 2010: A Golden State of Mind are priced at $500 and $1000, with table sponsorships available for $5,000-$60,000. For more information, visit www.museumca.org.

About the Transformation of the Oakland Museum of California

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) reopens Saturday, May 1, 2010 with a dramatically different presentation of its collections, inviting visitors to discover the many stories of California and to explore their own contributions to the state’s social, artistic, and environmental heritage. OMCA’s transformation is enhanced by the renovation and expansion of its landmark Kevin Roche building.

OMCA will celebrate the reopening with a series of events and programs that will underscore the Museum’s unique multidisciplinary mission, as well as emphasize California’s distinctive characteristics. The opening events will culminate with 31-hours of continuous free public programs on May 1^st and 2^nd.

Created in 1969 as a “museum for the people,” OMCA is reviving its foundational premise by developing innovative exhibition and programming strategies, setting a new paradigm for the way a museum engages the public. Visitors to the reinvented Museum will find multiple entry points for exploring the state’s past; learn about the natural, artistic, and social forces that continue to shape it; and investigate their own role in both its history and its future.

“We are moving toward a more participatory museum experience that encourages visitor contributions and feedback,” said Lori Fogarty, OMCA’s executive director. “Just as California is not a ‘fixed’ place but constantly evolving, our new galleries are designed to accommodate change and new ideas.”

CALENDAR EDITOR: PLEASE LIST

Oakland Museum of California

Golden Gala 2010: A Golden State of Mind

WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 2010. Champagne and Trader Vic’s mai tai reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. with exclusive access to the galleries; dinner and auction at 8 p.m.; dancing until midnight.

WHERE: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street (at 10^th Street), Oakland, CA 94608

TICKETS: $500-$1,000 with table sponsorships available for $5,000-$60,000