Works of art on the theme of America’s wilderness drawn from members’ collections formed the basis of the spring exhibition at the Wildling Art Museum in Los Olivos which opened March 19. Curated by Marlene Miller, “Members Collect II,” second time the Museum has turned to its members to find unknown treasures. As Miller says in the illustrated brochure that accompanies the exhibition,“we have selected mostly works by artists not previously shown at the Wildling.” These include paintings by nationally-known artists, Conrad Buff, George Brandriff, Benjamin Brown, Arthur Hill Gilbert, Percy Grey, Alfred Mitchell, Gottardo Piazzoni, Guy Rose, Granville Redmond, Millar Sheets and Henrietta Shore. Artists whose works have been seen in earlier exhibitions are John Gamble, John James Audubon, Mildred Bryant Brooks, Maynard Dixon, Fernand Lungren and Ray Strong. The show also includes sculptures by Jane Armstrong and John Cody.

Most of the images in the exhibition were created during the 1920s and '30s, here in California, which, because of its brilliant sunshine and mild climate, had become by that time a popular destination for artists painting“ en plein air” (in the open air; outdoors), often using the pure color and broken brush-strokes borrowed from the French Impressionists. Guy Rose actually studied in France, and La Jolla Cove is a particularly good example of this well-known California Impressionist’s work.

During the Great Depression, artists turned to motion picture set design, animation, illustration, teaching, and mural paintings, sponsored by the federal Works of Art Project. The new emphasis was on spontaneous watercolor renderings of the urban landscape and everyday life. Artists like Millard Sheets and Milford Zornes, whose works are included in “Members Collect II”, are often referred to as California Regionalists or Scene Painters.

An opening reception for members and their guests was held on March 19, 4-6 p.m. The exhibition continued through June 12. Public hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11-5.