Crocker Art Museum :: Press Releases

December 5, 2006 – Sacramento, Calif. – In early September of 1938, Ansel Adams, artist Georgia O'Keeffe and their friends enjoyed a 10-day trip through Yosemite, where Adams not only focused his lens on the majesty of the landscape but also on his fellow travelers. Photographs from this journey will be highlighted in a new exhibit at the Crocker Art Museum, Yosemite 1938: On the Trail with Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe, on view from February 3 – May 6, 2007.

When Adams returned to his studio, he crafted three photographic albums with personal notes and captions, then gave them to his friends. Within them were early prints of what became his most famous images, including Glacier Point and Cathedral Peak, as well as more personal portraits and nature studies.

Whether focusing on landscapes such as Half Dome and Echo Ridge or portraiture of Georgia O'Keeffe and the other campers, the protagonists in these photographs are revealed in their many facets—the vitality of nature and of friendship as well as candid moments at camp and in the wild. Adams' highly personal vision and working method, aspects often unseen in his public work, pervade the album pages that make up this exhibition. Spectacular views of Yosemite compete with campside portraits, providing a new understanding of Ansel Adams' production and his life.

Also on display during the exhibition will be 22 black-and-white photographs of the rolling hills and open pastures around Rocklin, taken by Adams in 1963. These images, selected by the artist and given to the Museum, complement the traveling exhibition and offer further insight into Adams’ broader range of subjects while featuring the artist’s signature approach to light and shadow.

EXHIBITION-RELATED PROGRAMMING
Thursday, March 1, 1 PM
Tour and Tea: Majestic Mountains
Enjoy a cup of tea and join our Associate Curator, William Breazeale, on a tour and discussion of the exhibit, Yosemite 1938: On the Trail with Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe. $5 members; $10 nonmembers.

Saturday, March 3, 10:30 AM – 4 PM
History of Photography Course
Photographer and UCSD Extension instructor Scott Davis will present the history of photography with a focus on landscape photography and the influence of Ansel Adams during the 20th century. Lunch is included. $40 members; $50 nonmembers.

Sunday, April 1, 1 PM
Film: Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe appears on camera to discuss her work and life. Her paintings figure prominently in this film, showing her wide stylistic range and how nature inspired her work. Not rated, 59 minutes.
Free with admission.

Sunday, April 15, 1 PM Lecture
Lecture: Georgia O’Keeffe
Jackie Melega of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico will discuss the life and work of Georgia O’Keeffe and her connection with Ansel Adams. Free with admission.

Thursday, April 26, 6 PM Reception, 7 PM Program
Meet-the-Artist Lecture: Mehdi Saghafi
Bay Area photographer Mehdi Saghafi will discuss his work, process and choice of the Sacramento Delta as the panoramic subject of his landscape photography. Free to members; $10 nonmembers.

Saturday, April 28, 1 PM
Film: Ansel Adams
In this intimate portrait of Ansel Adams, discover the artist, his work and the themes that inspired him. Not rated, 100 minutes. Free with admission.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 AM – 5 PM, Tuesday – Sunday; Thursday until 9 PM. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 264-5423 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.