Detail from ‘La Loma Bridge Under Construction,’ circa 1914, Ernest A. Batchelder; Oil on canvas; Pasadena Museum of History Collection, 2016.009.001.
A century after sixteen founding artists established the Pasadena Society of Artists in 1925, the organization celebrates its longevity and continued relevance with “100 Years — 100 Images,” an ambitious exhibition opening February 28 at the Pasadena Museum of History. Featuring juried works spanning ten decades of artistic development, the exhibition showcases both historical pieces from the organization’s founders and contemporary works that engage directly with today’s pressing social issues.
Through September 14, the exhibition will showcase 100 juried artworks spanning the organization’s century-long history, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Pasadena’s artistic evolution.
Opening Reception Sunday, March 2, 3 – 5 p.m.
“The Pasadena Society of Artists has been a constant contributing force to the art world in and around Pasadena for 100 years,” said Kathleen Swaydan, President of the Pasadena Society of Artists. “It maintains a high standard of artistic merit by conducting a juried New Member Screening twice a year to ensure that the membership stands up to its professional standards. These standards are what the Founding Members believed and passed down to the Society of today. Information about the New Member Screenings can be found on the PSA website.”
“We consider the Pasadena Society of Artists a strategic partner in our mission to provide exhibitions and programs that enhance public understanding of Pasadena’s artistic heritage,” said Pasadena Museum of History representative Jeannette Bovard. “Established in 1925 by many of Eva Fényes’s artist friends, including the esteemed ‘dean of Pasadena painters,’ Benjamin C. Brown, PSA has upheld a tradition of excellence with its annual juried exhibitions, showcasing a diverse range of styles and mediums.”
Assembling the exhibition required extensive research and collaboration.
“The process of curating 100 years of history centered around locating art created by our 16 Founding Members and then asking the collectors to agree to loan their works of art for a six-month exhibition. It was no less than a treasure hunt!” Swaydan explained. “PSA was fortunate to have the assistance of the Pasadena Museum of History’s Executive Director, Jeannette O’Malley and Master Conservationist, Maurine St. Gaudens for locating historic artwork. Pasadena has a wealth of artistic talent and accessible artwork.”
The exhibition will feature both historic works from founding members and contemporary pieces addressing current social issues.
“The current membership is diverse and attuned to contemporary social issues. Many members use art to express their opinions regarding social issues such as gun violence, gender and racial discrimination, political, and environmental issues,” Swaydan noted. “There are several works in the Centennial Exhibition that address these issues. They are Leah Knecht’s ‘America the Beautiful’, Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja’s ‘Wisdom of Ancestors’, Gina M.’s ‘Cause it’s hot as an oven’, Diane Chang’s ‘American Dream’, and Fred Chuang’s ‘Cocoon’.”
Some artists’ work will be presented photographically due to losses in the Eaton Canyon fire.
To accommodate the extensive collection, the exhibition will be presented in two seasonal installations: Spring (February 28 to May 30) and Summer (June 1 to September 14, 2025). This approach allows visitors to explore different aspects of Pasadena’s rich artistic heritage.
“It is important to make art accessible to the public,” the museum explains. “We know from experience that exhibitions exploring the intersection of art and history are well received and well attended. While today’s technology allows artists to share their works widely online, the experience of seeing fine art pieces in person is unsurpassed.”
The PSA maintains its relevance by embracing innovative approaches. “I would say that during the New Member Screenings, we are always looking for new approaches to creating art,” Swaydan said. “We recently had one artist use a self-taught technique that incorporates using ice during his photographic development. Another new member uses digital techniques in ways we hadn’t seen before. PSA wants to stay current and on the cutting edge of creativity.”
“Pasadena became well known during the early 20th century as a leader in the Arts and Crafts movement and plein air painting styles,” notes the museum. “The region has continued to build on this legacy while embracing and encouraging artists of various styles and genres who are inspired by their predecessors and who, in turn, inspire new generations.”
The centennial celebration will include a robust program of accompanying events designed to engage diverse audiences. “We will be offering a wide array of engaging in-person events that serve a wide variety of ages and demographics,” according to Bovard. “These include lectures, demonstrations and walking tours, as well as our signature free events: ArtNight Pasadena (March 14), MOTA (Museums of the Arroyo) Day (May 4), Happy Birthday Pasadena (June 8), and Community Open Houses.”
Virtual offerings will complement the physical exhibition, including “podcasts, videos, virtual tours, and tutorials, ensuring broad access to our programming.” Updates will be shared via the Museum’s e-calendar and social media platforms throughout the year. These activities will advance PMH’s and PSA’s shared mission to “provide educational opportunities that benefit the community and promote California’s rich history, heritage, and the Fényes legacy.”
Looking ahead, Swaydan outlined her vision for the organization’s future: “Keep on keeping on – as the saying goes. PSA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the understanding and appreciation of art through the work of dedicated volunteers. This is accomplished through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, workshops and other methods of teaching and demonstrating excellence in a diversity of art forms.”
Pasadena has a long and prolific cultural heritage. Visitors to the city “are literally surrounded by fine art, significant architecture, a thriving theater scene, world class music and musicians, literary, horticultural and culinary riches; internationally renowned educational institutions – and all this in a setting filled with the natural beauty that has attracted so many through the years.”
The exhibition aims to preserve and highlight Pasadena’s artistic heritage, offering an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue about the city’s cultural evolution and the ongoing relevance of visual arts in community life.
Swaydan emphasized the organization’s welcoming nature: “The Pasadena Society of Artists is a friendly, accepting, diverse organization always ready to welcome emerging and established artists.”
The Pasadena Museum of History is located at 470 W. Walnut St., in West Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 577-1660 or visit www.pasadenahistory.org. Admission Fees: Adults $9. Seniors (62+) $7. PMH members, students, & visitors under 18 FREE ; Fényes Estate Garden Free.
