art alliance

of the riverside art museum

 

A Short History of the Riverside Art Museum and the Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum By: Unknown Art Alliance Historian Since its inception as the "Spanish Art Society of California" by the late Frank Miller, founder of the famous Mission Inn, the Riverside Art Museum has played a preeminent role in the visual arts in the Riverside area.  In 1956 the Museum was formally incorporated as the Riverside Arts Center and Museum and began an annual series of exhibitions and classes in various media for both children and adults. In 1965, twelve women founded the Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum.  They were Lucille Clarke, Betty Facey, Katie Grigsby, Birk Hinderaker, Barbara Colville, Elizabeth Kuhlins, Doris Miller, Ruth Place, Betty Powell, Betty Reade, Dottie Smith and Margaret Woodford.  From this original group of twelve, the Art Alliance now has a membership of over 200 members.  During the early years, members met in homes, garages, the Adobe of the Mission Inn and even the City Dog Pound, that was rented from the City of Riverside for $1 a year.  When Dottie Smith was President, the very first Sales and Rental Gallery was established in the former cat houses of the old pound. In 1966, the YWCA decided to relocate to Magnolia Avenue near Adams Street and they put their downtown location up for sale. Everyone decided to purchase that building located at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Lime Streets instead of building on the Dog Pound site.  The two-story, 20,000 square foot, Spanish influenced building designed by Julia Morgan and built in 1929, was renovated into a series of gallery space and classrooms.  The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
	The Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum Who Are We Today? The Art Alliance is a unique organization! While operating as the fundraising arm of the Riverside Art Museum, we create our own events and projects that focus on community, art and membership fun. Some of our projects include: The Banner ARTVenture – A display of large banners, sized 30” by 96”, hung from the streetlights in three different areas of the city (downtown on Lime and 14th Streets, on University near University of California Riverside and on Van Buren Blvd and Magnolia Ave in the Arlington area). Artists submit original artwork that is juried and screened onto the vinyl banners scheduled for debut in Spring 2009. Off-the-Wall - Hundreds of original works of art, framed and ready to take “off the wall” create the largest art sale in Riverside.  Held annually each November, Off-the-Wall has generated over $50,000 for the Riverside Art Museum annually. Canstruction® - Teams of designers compete for prizes by creating giant sculptures made from canned foods.  Later, these sculptures were disassembled and donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. The event in 2007 and 2008, was unique and a first for the city of Riverside.  The Giant Orange ArtVenture - 32 giant fiberglass oranges, designed by local artists and underwritten by local businesses and individuals, created the largest outdoor art show in Riverside’s history.  Our ‘gala opening’ at White Park in 2006 showcased the one-of-a-kind oranges to 1,700 guests. This extraordinary project generated over $125,000 for RAM. Art Alive -Local florists are inspired by art, and their creations form the inspirational focus for ‘Art Alive’.  Special events throughout the show include speakers, luncheons and cocktail parties.  Art Alive was held annually since 2005 Art Fun-in-the-Sun - A children’s art festival, Art Fun-in-the-Sun was held for many years to introduce children to the Riverside Art Museum and the joys of art. These are just a few examples of the kinds of projects the Art Alliance creates for our community and for the benefit of the Riverside Art Museum.  Read more about our projects and about membership in our organization on this web site!
Mission and Purpose of the Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum The Art Alliance is a volunteer organization whose members plan, support, and participate in activities that benefit the Riverside Art Museum and contribute to its operating budget.  We create our own events and projects that focus on community, art and membership fun.   The Art Alliance shall be under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of the Riverside Art Museum (RAM) per article IX of RAM Bylaws. The Riverside Art Museum looks to the Art Alliance for major support in contributing to its operating budget.