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Indian Summer by Ray Strong (1940), perhaps Strong’s most iconic painting.
Ray Strong as photographed by Ansel Adams, circa 1950.
Now on View
earth portraiture:
ray Strong’s norThern california landscapes
September 6, 2024 through
January 19, 2025
Oregon-born painter Ray Stanford Strong (1905-2006) captured the essence of the Western landscape in a long career dedicated to what he termed “Earth portraiture.” He was also known for his innovative dioramas, social activism, land conservation, and leadership in art education. For a time, Strong lived in Marin County and spent time in Mendocino County. Drawn from private and public collections, this exhibition focuses primarily on landscapes Strong made of areas in or around San Francisco and the East Bay, Marin and Mendocino Counties, and the Sierra and Cascade Ranges. It also includes subjects depicting places in Oregon, Arizona, Utah, New York, and Italy. A small exhibit of Grace Hudson landscapes complements the show.
video recording
the man behind the brush: landscape artist ray stanford strong
The video recording of Mark Humpal’s presentation about Ray Strong can now be found on the VIDEO ARCHIVES page of our website. In this illustrated talk, Mark shares the story of Ray Strong’s long life: from his childhood in Oregon to his final years in Three Rivers, California. Along the way, he discusses Strong’s teachers, mentors, collaborators, and major accomplishments. The original in-person presentation took place at the Grace Hudson Museum on September 7, 2024, the day after the opening of Earth Portraiture: Ray Strong’s Northern California Landscapes, for which Mark served as guest curator. You can also access the video by clicking HERE.
This video was recorded and edited by Fuller Digital Media.
evaluation day
Like a mini-antiques road show
Friday, January 10
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Are you an Antiques Roadshow fan? Well, something similar is coming to the Grace Hudson Museum. Witherell Auctions in Sacramento will be partnering with the Museum on a public “Evaluation Day.” Visitors will be allowed to bring up to three items to learn about their history and get an idea of how much they might be worth. Professional appraisers from Witherell will provide a 3-minute assessments for each item. Visitors will need to purchase a ticket for each item they bring. Museum Member tickets: $5 per item. Non-member tickets: $8 per item. All proceeds go to the Grace Hudson Museum.
To purchase tickets, please drop by the Museum during our public hours, or call us at (707) 467-2836.
johnny belinda:
Film screening
Saturday, January 11
2:00 to 4:00 PM
The Mendocino Coast stands in for a remote Nova Scotia island in this fascinating 1948 drama starring Jane Wyman, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance. A watercolor by Ray Strong, featured in our current special exhibition, Earth Portraiture, depicts the film’s farmhouse.
Included with Museum admission.
Muwekma Ohlone, Stanford Pow Wow.
Photo by Kike Arnal
our next exhibition
Reclamation:
Resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
Opening February 7, 2025
In 1925, famed anthropologist Alfred Kroeber incorrectly claimed that the Costanoan Native peoples of California had become extinct. Consequently, the Muwekma Ohlone — largely based in the southern regions of San Francisco Bay — lost federal status even though tribal members had been enrolled with the Bureau of Indian Affairs between 1928 and 1971 and had even served in the United States military. Through the images of tribal photographer Kike Arnal, this exhibition explores the traditions and vitality of the Muwekma Ohlone and their ongoing struggle to regain federal status and secure their own sovereignty.
deep roots,
spreading branches
virtual programs
We are delighted now to have all three video programs that accompanied the exhibition Deep Roots, Spreading Branches: Fine Woodworking from the Krenov School, accessible to watch on the VIDEO ARCHIVES page of our web site. The videos include:
The Student Experience at the Krenov School, through the eyes and memories of former students Tim Coleman, Taimi Barty, John Shaw, and Phoebe Kuo. They also discuss their pieces that were included in the exhibition.
Through the Years: Insights from Krenov Instructors, in which you’ll learn about the beginnings and evolution of the Krenov School of Fine Woodworking from Creighton Hoke, who helped get the school started; David Welter, shop manager and ad hoc instructor for 30 years; and Laura Mays, the school's current director and lead instructor.
The Song and Dance: Krenov’s American Dreams. This features Krenov biographer Brendan Gaffney discussing the inspiration and circumstances that led James Krenov to Mendocino County, and to the establishment of a fine woodworking program in Fort Bragg.
Greenfield Ranch, Easter 1977
Promise of Paradise
Back to the Land Oral Histories of Mendocino County, on KZYX website
The Grace Hudson Museum is a proud supporter of this important oral history project. The weekly broadcasts have concluded, but you can still listen to all the episodes by clicking here for the Promise of Paradise archive on KZYX.
And to learn more about how it all got started click here to check out Jerry Karp’s November 2018 article in the Anderson Valley Advertiser.
Grace Hudson in the Sun House, 1912.
We are proud that Grace Hudson is featured in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s recent blog about
ten women who have given significantly to the world of art. All are affiliated with a historic artist's home in the
Historic Artists Homes and Studios program, of which the Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House is a founding member. Check it out!
https://savingplaces.org/stories/10-women-who-influenced-historic-artists-homes#.WqqHvsPwa70
Rufous Hummingbird and Scarlett Fritillary
Photograph by Rob Badger and Nita Winter
And in June, the National Trust for Historic Preservation website featured the Museum in an article
on our spring exhibition, Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change,
which ran from February 10 to June 17th. Read the article HERE!
Click on images or text for more information.
The galleries
Short-term exhibits in The Main Gallery highlight contemporary art, Native American cultures, Western American history, historic California art and local natural history. Permanent collections showcase Grace Hudson’s art; her family’s history; and Pomo culture and basketry.
the wild gardens
An outdoor Art and Education center is under development on the museum grounds. Located in a parklike setting, The Wild Gardens features native plant gardens with exhibits and art that teaches about our local environment and how Pomo Indian people managed this landscape.
the sun house
The Hudson’s charming 1911 redwood Craftsman bungalow home, the Sun House sits adjacent to the Museum and is available for docent-led tours. More than a century old, The Sun House allows visitors a glimpse into the Hudsons’ Bohemian lifestyle.
The Grace Hudson Museum highlights regional art, culture and natural history in the tradition of an extraordinary family – that of Ukiah native and nationally admired artist Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937), her ethnologist husband, Dr. John W. Hudson (1857-1936) and her pioneering forebears. We provide opportunities for cultural engagement, art appreciation, historical reflection and hands-on learning.
