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 1966 the Museum purchased the YMCA located at Seventh (now Mission Inn Avenue) and Lime Streets.  The two-story, 20,000 square foot, Spanish influenced building designed by Julia Morgan was built in 1929 and was renovated into a series of gallery space and classrooms.  Since 1982 the building has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A year before the purchase of the YMCA, 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 years before the purchase of the current building, members met in homes, garages, the Adobe of the Mission Inn and even the City Dog Pound!  (For $1 a year the City of Riverside rented the dog pound to us.  When Dottie Smith was President of the Association, the very first Sales and Rental Gallery was established in the former cat houses of the old pound.  When the YMCA came up for sale in 1966, it was decided to purchase the building instead of building on the Dog Pound site).  The Riverside community has actively supported art and its cultural commitment to the museum since the early 1900’s.  The Riverside Art Museum has looked to the Art Alliance for major support in contributing to its operating budget for the last 42 years.
	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 Giant Orange ArtVenture - Thirty-two 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 on June 3, 2006 showcased the one-of-a-kind oranges to 1,700 guests. To date, this extraordinary project has generated over $125,000 for the Riverside Art Museum. 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 in 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 are disassembled and donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. The event in April 2007, was unique and a first for the city of Riverside.  Look for us on May 8, 2008 at the Riverside Art Museum for our 2nd Annual Riverside Canstruction Event! 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 through 2005 and raised thousands of dollars for RAM. 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.  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.