Although open since 1953, the Catalina Island Museum has never had a permanent home. It has leased space on the ground level of Avalon’s landmark Casino building for nearly 63 years. That changes this weekend. On Saturday, June 18, 2016, the museum’s new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building opens to the public. Museum members are invited to preview the new museum building on Friday, June 17.
Although open since 1953, the Catalina Island Museum has never had a permanent home. It has leased space on the ground level of Avalon’s landmark Casino building for nearly 63 years. That changes this weekend. On Saturday, June 18, 2016, the museum’s new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building opens to the public. Museum members are invited to preview the new museum building on Friday, June 17.
With the opening of its new building, the Catalina Island Museum is taking a new approach, embracing a dual vision, focused on both history and art. The largest gallery is permanently dedicated to the history of Santa Catalina Island.
While the other two are dedicated to special exhibitions of photography, painting and sculpture. The main special exhibitions gallery opens with Bettie Page Uncovered: The Unknown Photographs of Bunny Yeager. It is the first museum exhibition in California dedicated to iconic 1950s pinup model Bettie Page.
This exhibition consists entirely of photographs that have rarely, or never, been seen before. An exhibition of plein air paintings depicting unique views of daily life in Avalon can be viewed in a gallery on the museum’s second level.
The public is invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Catalina Island Museum’s new building Saturday, June 18 through Monday, July 4. Numerous events including a book signing, films, gallery talks and musical performances round out the celebration. Located at 217 Metropole Ave., hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional details about the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building, including Grand Opening exhibition descriptions and a full schedule of events, can be found on the museum’s new website: www.CatalinaMuseum.org. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website CatalinaMuseum.org.
