Pacific Asia Museum

NEWS ARCHIVE

Winter 2008

Conservation and Restoration
As part of the Campaign for the Future, a number of decorative elements of the historic building are being conserved and restored.

The relief carvings surrounding the large windows in the courtyard depicting dragons amidst clouds may have been salvaged from a 19th century temple in China. These were probably purchased by Grace Nicholson from a local antiques dealer and installed here when she built her Oriental Treasure House in the 1920s.

Last fall, Griswold Conservation Associates determined that the original background was rose with gilded relief carvings. After removing flaking paint areas and applying a sealant to resist against further weathering, they repainted the background and lightly gilded the raised carvings to create an aged patina. The result dramatically transforms not only these beautiful sculptures, but the entire courtyard garden.

This project was generously supported by a special contribution from George and Marcia Good. The Goods are longtime supporters of the museum as volunteers, advocates and donors. Their gift of modern Japanese prints to the collection was featured in the exhibition From Heart to Hand, and they have made a major unrestricted gift to the Campaign for the Future.

Abigail Deras of Griswold Conservation Associates

Kendall Brown, Ph.D.

Introducing Kendall Brown, Ph.D.
Curator of Exhibitions, Programs and Collections
Previously consulting curator of Japanese art for Pacific Asia Museum, Ken Brown now joins the museum as Curator of Exhibitions, Programs and Collections. Dr. Brown holds a joint appointment at California State University, Long Beach as Associate Professor, Department of Art.

Dr. Brown received his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has published three books: “Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints,” “Japanese Style Gardens of the Pacific West Coast” and “The Politics of Reclusion: Painting & Power in Momoyama Japan” in addition to numerous articles and exhibition catalogues. His most recent exhibitions at Pacific Asia Museum have been Reflections of Beauty: Women from Japan’s Floating World (2006) and The Occupations of Showa Japan: The Woodblock Prints of Wada Sanzo (2004).

January 27, 2pm Member Event: Special reception to meet Pacific Asia Museum’s new Curator of Exhibitions, Programs, and Collections, Dr. Ken Brown. Learn about plans for future exhibitions and his vision for the display and interpretation of the permanent collection. Call ext. 37 to R.S.V.P. or become a member.

Festival of the Autumn Moon
Art lovers, museum friends and patrons raised more than $280,000 at the 30th Festival of the Autumn Moon on Saturday, October 20, 2007, held at The California Club. The gala event featured a silent auction, an elegant three-course meal, dancing to the sounds of Art Deco and his Orchestra, a live auction of Asian art and antiques (all donated to support the museum) as well as luxury items donated by le bijou jewelers of Pasadena and Viking River Cruises.

Co-Chairs Nancy Neal Davis and Glenn Keller

Executive Director Joan Marshall recognized community leaders, museum friends and philanthropists Sid and Betsey Tyler, and Arnold and Joan Travis. Also featured during the program was the recently-aired episode of Huell Howser’s “California’s Gold” program dedicated to Pacific Asia Museum; all guests got a DVD of the show to take home.

A special “paddle auction” was held to raise matching funds for a $300,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant that the museum was awarded in September. Auctioneer Joel Athey and museum docents Susan Bishop and Joyce Kelly inspired the guests to contribute nearly $25,000 to support education at the museum. The event, one of the most successful in recent years, was expertly organized by Festival Co-Chairs Glenn Keller and Nancy Neal Davis.


From top to bottom: Co-Chairs Nancy Neal Davis and Glenn Keller; Docents Susan Bishop and Joyce Kelly; Drs. Ananth and Margaret Natarajan; Peg Palmer and son Jeffrey Palmer; Suzanne Adams celebrates her winning bid; Service Council Volunteers