Robert Burridge, The White House.

–Rarely seen but always honored, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s is exhibiting Hidden Gems: Selections from the Permanent Collection from July 7 – Aug. 27, 2017. This exhibition offers a glimpse of the California Central Coast’s visual history and unique identity.

Curator Ruta Saliklis selected original paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and ceramics for display in Hidden Gems. Saliklis included favorites such as George Gibson’s Sparkling Ranch, Phil Dike’s Vista Del Mar, Nancy Kolliner’s Red Cow, John Barnard’s Old Man, and Robert Reynold’s Going Home.

The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s permanent collection has been thoughtfully acquired since the 1960s. Longtime volunteer curator Arne Nybak championed the cause of the permanent collection until the 1990’s, and it continues to grow today thanks to generous donations from collectors, estates, artists, and purchased acquisitions.

One featured recent acquisition is The White House, a painting by celebrated contemporary artist Robert Burridge. The White House commemorates Barack Obama’s election. In 2008, Burridge had been making a collage in his Arroyo Grande studio when a piece of paper fell to the floor – for a moment, it looked like a white house with a black door. Riding on that inspiration, Burridge painted symbolic and story elements that signify Obama’s successes and challenges. He donated The White House to the Museum of Art’s permanent collection in 2016.

Burridge hopes that this opportunity to see the permanent collection on display will inspire the community to support the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s capital campaign. The permanent collection currently spends most of its time in storage due to the absence of dedicated exhibition space. The Museum of Art is currently raising funds to build a spectacular building on its current site. In addition to more gallery space, these vibrant and historic works of art will have a dedicated gallery where residents and visitors can celebrate the past, present, and future of the growing permanent collection every day.

The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, dedicated to the education, presentation, and preservation of the visual arts on the Central Coast, is located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of Mission Plaza. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Free admission, donations appreciated. For more info visit SLOMA.org.