NEWS RELEASE
Oakland Museum of California
www.museumca.org

10TH & OAK STREETS
OAKLAND, CA  94607

Contact
Elizabeth Whipple
510/238-4740 media
ewhipple@museumca.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 January 2009

Museum Exhibitions + Events
January–August 2009

The Oakland Museum of California begins its fortieth year with three new exhibitions and the return of several popular programs, amid the ongoing renovation of its art and history galleries.

Founded in 1969 and dedicated to the art, history, and natural sciences of California, the museum is acclaimed for its tiered, open-air architecture and landscaping. The museum reopens with expanded and revitalized galleries and visitor amenities in early 2010.

A survey of the work of contemporary painter Squeak Carnwath, an exploration of the considerable significance of the African presence in Mexico, and a photo exhibition that delivers a call to environmental action from two naturalists will be on view in early 2009.

Sculpture Garden Carillon Through October, 2009 A sound installation by Joseph del Pesco and Helena Keeffe that marks the passage of time before the Art and History Galleries reopen. The artists chose 12 of the museum’s outdoor sculptures and recorded the sound of tapping each with a small padded mallet (one tap for one o’clock, 12 for noon/midnight). The installation, organized by Senior Curator of Art René de Guzman, offers a new way to think about and experience art, and adds a meditative element to the gardens.	Fletcher Benton, View of M  (1974), from museum courtyard. Photo Tina L. Cheung.
Squeak Carnwath: Painting Is No Ordinary Object (Apr 25–Aug 23). This survey of work reflects Carnwath’s groundbreaking artistry and stature as one of California’s leading artists. Curator Karen Tsujimoto chose 40 works from the past 15 years—the period between Carnwath’s first major painting exhibition and the emergence of her mature style. As the title indicates, a painting is “no ordinary object” for the artist. Her recurring motifs reflect personal and universal themes; each meticulously applied layer of paint carries meaning and inquiry. The companion book, Painting Is No Ordinary Object, by is a 160-page retrospective of Carnwath’s career. It features 80 full-color reproductions and essays by Tsujimoto and art critic and poet John Yau (co-published by Pomegranate, 2009). http://www.museumca.org/press/press_squeak.html	Squeak Carnwath, Promise, 1999. Oil and alkyd on canvas, 203.2 x 203.2 cm (80 x 80 in.). Collection of Joan Warren-Grady, La Jolla, CA. © Squeak Carnwath/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.
The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present (May 9–Aug 23). This show examines the overlooked history of African contributions to Mexican culture. In 1609, Yanga, an African leader, founded the first free African township in the Americas, almost a century after the arrival of Africans in Mexico (1519). Africans have continued to contribute their artistic, culinary, musical, and cultural traditions to Mexican culture. Artifacts include paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, costumes, masks, musical instruments, and other examples of art and popular culture. African Presence in Mexico was curated by Sagrario-Cruz Carretero of the University of Veracruz and Cesáreo Morena, visual arts director at the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, where the exhibition originated.
Future of Sequoias: Sustaining 21st Century Parklands (Feb 7–Aug 23). The museum goes deep into the forest primeval to reveal the magnificent Giant Sequoia. Forty panoramic photos by Jeff Jones and commentary by retired National Park interpretative ranger William C. Tweed honor the spectacular beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, while sounding an alarm about human-generated pollution. See http://www.museumca.org/press/press_sequoia.html.	Soaring Sequoia. Photo by Jeff Jones.
Ongoing Exhibitions
L.A. PAINT (through March 8). A look at the vast and vibrant Southern California art scene via 11 influential artists: The Date Farmers (Armando Lerma and Carlos Ramirez), Brian Fahlstrom, Steve Galloway, Loren Holland, Hyesook Park, Steve Roden, Linda Stark, Don Suggs, Esther Pearl Watson, and Robert Williams. These painters represent four distinct expressive modes—abstraction, narrative, surrealist/fantasy, and the cartoon and graffiti street-art “low-brow school.” Organized by Philip Linhares, the museum’s chief curator of art.	Don Suggs, Les Desmoiselles d'Avignon (Patrimony Series), 2006. Courtesy LA Louver, Venice, CA.
The Art and History of Early California (through Aug 23). A display of art and history artifacts from the museum’s collections lets visitors explore the story of California from the First Peoples through the Gold Rush. Experience the rich history, diverse beginnings, and artistic and cultural heritage of early California.	Grace Carpenter Hudson, To-Tole, 1894. Oil on canvas. Oakland Museum of California.
Annual Programs (included with museum admission unless otherwise indicated).
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Day: A King and an Emperor (Sunday, Jan 18, 12-4 p.m.). The similarities in the lives of Dr. King and political activist, athlete, singer/actor Paul Robeson are highlighted in a talk by Paul Von Blum, senior lecturer in African American Studies at UCLA. Program includes hip-hop, dance, and vocal performances. Families can create their own front pages from African American papers of the King and Robeson eras. Produced with the Bay Area Paul Robeson Centennial Committee. See http://www.museumca.org/press/press_bhm_2009.html for all Black History Events at the museum.	Paul Robeson. Photo Gordon Parks.
Family Explorations! Lunar New Year & Other Asian Traditions (Sunday, Jan 25, 12–5 p.m.) Join a fortune-filled family event to welcome the Year of the Ox, with lion and dragon dancing, the Red Panda Acrobats, Ping-Pong demonstrations, and traditional music, dance, and martial arts. Enjoy mochi pounding, Korean and Vietnamese music, Chinese and Balinese dancers, cooking demos, Chinese paper cutting, Korean textiles, and Japanese calligraphy. Learn about Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, how to wear a kimono, or play a bamboo flute. Presented with DEAF Media, Yoshi’s Restaurant & Jazz Club, and Tri-Valley Table Tennis Club.	Year of the Ox.
White Elephant Sale (Saturday & Sunday, Mar 7 & Mar 8, 10–4). Simply the biggest and best of its kind. The legendary Sale was green before it was politically correct—taking one person’s trash and recycling it into someone else’s treasure for 50 years. Proceeds from the sale, sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women's Board, support museum exhibitions and education programs. The WES warehouse is at 333 Lancaster St. (at Glascock), Oakland. Free shuttle bus from Fruitvale BART. Free admission. See http://www.whiteelephantsale.org/march-sale.html.	White Elephant Sale. Oakland Museum of California.
California Families: A day for ALL families (Sunday, Mar 15, 1–4 p.m.). Hands-on craft activities and performances that reflect and celebrate all families—those with adopted, mixed-race, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender members.	Courtesy of Our Family Coalition. Photo by Eric Maxey.
6th Annual EarthDance Environmental Film Festival (Friday, Apr 3, 7 & 9 p.m.). An international compilation of short films about the impact of human behavior on nature. Producer Zak Zide keeps the program upbeat with humorous, whimsical, and provocative films.
Annual California Wildflower Show (Saturday, May 2, 10–5 & Sunday, May 3, 12–5 p.m.). Savor the colors and fragrance of hundreds of freshly collected native flowers. Presented with the California Native Plant Society and the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium and Botanical Garden.	White Globe Lily Calochortus albus. Photo Tony Morosco.

High-resolution jpegs are available for exhibitions and programs. Please contact Elizabeth Whipple (510/238-4740 or ewhipple@museumca.org).

The Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak @ 10th Street, in Oakland, is one block from the Lake Merritt BART. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 to 5; Sunday, 12 to 5; first Friday of the month, 10 to 9. Admission is $8 for adults; $5 seniors and students with ID; free for members, City of Oakland employees, and kids five and under. Call 510/238-2200 or visit www.museumca.org for more information.