Something old, something new | Historical paintings hang alongside new works

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Paintings by Cora Wright (1868-1948) are on display at the Redwood Art Association Gallery in Eureka. Wright was popular in Humboldt County, with her works being collected by Amelia Carson and Clarke Historical Museum founder Cecile Clarke. (Courtesy of Clarke Museum)

The Clarke Historical Museum has announced that 16 original Cora Wright paintings are on display at the Redwood Art Association Gallery, 603 F St., Eureka, through Oct. 15 as part of the third annual Humboldt Open Paint Out.

The Humboldt Open Paint Out is a competition where artists have one week to paint any Humboldt County outdoor plein air scene they want, and the completed works will be on display at the gallery for two weeks after. The bottom floor of the gallery will be filled with these works, while the upstairs gallery will feature works from the Clarke collections, including the Wright paintings.

Wright (1868-1948) was born in Martinez and moved to Humboldt County in 1888. She taught classes in easel and ceramic painting in her home studio and produced a plethora of her own works featuring still life subjects, redwoods and scenery from the Klamath River area. She was popular in Humboldt County, with her works being collected by Amelia Carson (daughter-in-law of lumber baron William Carson) and museum founder Cecile Clarke. Some of her artwork was even displayed in the Humboldt County exhibits at state and international exhibitions, including the Panama Pacific International Exposition (1915), California State Fair (1926) and the Golden Gate International Exposition (1939).

This is the third collaborative exhibit that the Clarke Museum has done with Redwood Art Association, but the first that has taken place in the Redwood Art Association Gallery. The previous two exhibits, as part of the Redwood Art Associations Focus on Fiber and Redwood Camera Club’s North Coast Lens, can be viewed online at https://www.redwoodart.net/fiber-arts and https://www.redwoodart.net/photographic-arts.

Museum Director Katie Buesch said, “It has been a real joy to work with the Redwood Art Association in bringing more of the Clarke’s collections out into public view through our virtual collaborations and this first in-gallery exhibit. Pairing these historical views of Northern California with contemporary ones shows off the enduring beauty of the region.”

The Redwood Art Association Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

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