A Call to Collect

A Call to Collect is an exhibition that celebrates the pursuit of collecting art, featuring prized works from three highly regarded Los Gatos collectors. These locally connected women with globally relevant art collections have unique stories to share. From the early days of their collecting pursuits to current acquisitions, visitors to the exhibition will learn about the individual motives behind collecting art. The exhibition includes selections from three distinctive collections: one with a focus on women artists; another collection that celebrates Japanese art and culture, and a collection that grew from the vibrant mid-century New York art scene.

Featured paintings, drawings, sculpture and objects, include works by: Milton Avery, Ilya Bolotowski, Willem de Kooning, Hashimoto Gyoin, Henri Matisse, Marilyn Minter, Laurel Nakadate, Mayumi Oda, Danika Phelps and Adrianne Smits. Interactive elements will also be presented in the exhibition gallery introducing visitors to three noted female collectors from history: Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Peggy Guggenheim and Isabella Stewart Gardener.

“We are excited to work with these generous local residents and honored to share selections from their private collections.” Says art curator, Marianne McGrath. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to view and study works by internationally renowned artists.” Programs related to the exhibition include a series of collectors workshops. These workshops are intended to de-mystify the practice of collecting and caring for a collection. Additional programs include an art appraisal event and a hands-on program for children where participants can take part in learning activities with the museum collection incorporating writing, photography and crafting.