40th Annual Art Exhibition and Sale
California Images & History
April 22, 23, & 24, 2016
Civic Center Plaza, 245 E. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA [map]
VIEW PHOTO ALBUM from this Exhibition on Flickr (opens in new tab)
Celebrating 40 years, the San Dimas Festival of Arts 2016, California Images & History began on Friday, April 22 with a Premier Opening & Reception at 6pm and continued through Sunday afternoon, April 24, until 4pm.
Previously, the Festival proudly showcased artists who reflected the ‘Old West Attitude.’ Beginning in 2015, the Spring show adopted a new theme: California Images & History. This change better highlights the vast diversity of the state with art that exemplifies the splendors of the coast, vast mountain ranges, flourishing wine country, and Hollywood.
This year the Festival featured their 2nd Annual Plein Air Event on Saturday, April 23rd. The public was invited to view a select group of artists who set up their easels and painted San Dimas’ picturesque downtown area, including the Historic Walker House, Martin House (located on the corner of Bonita and Walnut). For the Plein Air landscape purists, painting also took place at last year’s location at the Tzu Chi Foundation during the same time as the downtown event. (The 100-acre campus is located at the end of Valley Center adjacent to ViaVerde.) More info below...
Sunday, April 24th featured the Quick Draw at 1:00 pm in which participating artists have one hour to complete a work of art with the prying eyes of the public. It’s a frenzied and exciting event in which artists reveal their talents, and good humor under a big white tent. At 2:15 pm the Quick Draw Auction began and all the art that was created al fresco is auctioned off.
The California Images & History event began on Friday evening, April 22 with a Premier Opening Reception at 6pm.
Viewing of all the unique and original fine artwork was free of charge and open to the public on Saturday April 23, 9am–9pm, and Sunday April 24, 9am–4pm. The Friday Premier Opening Reception and the Saturday Awards Dinner required a reservation.
The list of Exhibiting Artists is included in a sidebar to the right. Scroll down for a Schedule of Events.
For more information, contact us at (909) 599-5374 or via email at
Reverence by Martin Grelle, one of the top western artists in the country. Martin Grelle will be honored by the Festival of Arts 2016 with their ‘Spirit of the West’ award. More details...
It's a Paint Out!
San Dimas Festival of Arts 2nd Annual Plein Air Event
The Festival of Arts 'California Images & History' Exhibition and Sale, will feature their 2nd Annual Plein Air Event on April 23, 2016. The public is invited to view a select group of artists set up their easels and paint San Dimas' picturesque downtown area, including the Historic Walker House, Martin House (located on the corner of Bonita and Walnut). For the Plein Air landscape purists, painting will also take place at the last year's location at the Tzu Chi Foundation during the same time as the downtown event.
Shopkeepers, antique dealers will create interesting scenes, or vignettes, that will entice the artists to paint at their location. Live models will pose wearing historic and vintage clothing from the Victorian, Roaring 20's, 'Bonnie and Clyde', to contemporary garments.
The quality of the work that these artists represent are in a wide range of painting styles in oils, watercolor and pastels. You will not want to miss this interactive event that allows you to view the artists in action and out in the field as they paint. You will also not want to miss out on this opportunity to purchase these freshly painted images at the larger show area held at the Plummer Building at 121 Civic Center Plaza, San Dimas.
Schedule and Locations
Friday, April 22, Noon to 4 pm. Warm up. A few participating Artists will warm up for this event by painting the Historic Walker House and at the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation.
Saturday, April 23, 9 am to Noon: Artist begin painting in their designated locations along Bonita Avenue (Downtown San Dimas), the Walker House (Corner of Bonita and San Dimas Avenue), and, the Martin House (Corner of Bonita and Walnut Avenue).
Additional location is at the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation.
For more information, call the San Dimas Festival Office at (909) 599-5374.
California Images & History
Schedule of Events
Admission is free with the exception of Premier Opening and Awards Dinner.
Parking is always free.
Friday, April 22
- Plein Air Event: 1:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday Night Premier Opening & Sales: 6:00 pm – 9:30 (reservations required)
Saturday, April 23
- Plein Air Event: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Gallery open: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Trading Post open: 9:00 – 5:00 pm
- Seminar by Martin Grelle, 2016 Spirit of the West: 1:00 pm
- Student art awards: 3:00 pm
(Student art from five local High Schools will be on display all weekend.) - Awards Dinner: 6:00 pm (reservations required)
Spirit of the West award to be presented by former Congressman David Dreier to Martin Grelle. More info...
Sunday, April 24
- Gallery & Trading Post open: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Play with Clay with Richard Myer: 11 am – 12:00 noon
- Quick Draw: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, followed by
- Quick Draw Auction: 2:15 pm
- Show Closes Sunday 4:00 pm