Desert Dreams and Coastal Currents traces the parallel rise of Southern California and the Southwest as hubs of artistic innovation—and the lasting impact of these legacies on how we see and experience these places still. Around the turn of the twentieth century, artists seeking subject matter that felt at once recognizably American yet untainted by the industrial modernism of East Coast cities flocked to places like Laguna Beach in Southern California, or Taos and Santa Fe in Northern New Mexico. These different but complementary impulses became the basis for organizations such as the California Art Club (founded in 1909), the Taos Society of Artists (founded in 1915), and the Laguna Beach Art Association (founded in 1918), fostering a sense of shared artistic values based on regional character.

The images they generated—of sun-washed hills, dramatic deserts, and portraits of Pueblo life—have influenced regional identity, artistic production, and tourist expectations ever since. By showcasing historical work alongside contemporary art that reimagines these traditions, Desert Dreams and Coastal Currents speaks to the ongoing exchange between art and place that continues to influence how we see the West today.

This exhibit is open now until March 29.