Illusion and The Magic City
Illusion and the Magic City – 80th Anniversary of the Golden Gate International Exposition
View photos from the opening and art exhibit!
I'm pleased to share my next art exhibit, Illusion and the Magic City presented at the San Francisco History Center. This exhibition marks the 80th Anniversary of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. The Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) celebrated the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. The theme of the fair, “Pageant of the Pacific,” gave a Pacific Rim influence to the art, architecture and landscape design at the fairgrounds while blending in modernism and technological innovations.
Illusion and the Magic City features original souvenirs, photographs, and ephemera from the collections of the San Francisco History Center. Incorporated into the exhibition are a selection of my oil paintings relating to the forgotten treasures of GGIE, primarily referencing imagery inspired by Ralph Stackpole's colossal 80 foot statue of Pacifica- the iconic figure of the fair, representing world peace and Pacific unity.
This exhibit will also include excerpts from the novel "Beautiful Illusion, Treasure Island 1939" by dear friend and author Christie Nelson. I'm so honored Christie included my painting of Pacifica for her book.
Mixing fact and fiction with a dash of noir, Beautiful Illusion is the story of the men and women who built the Expo, of a city within a city, of glamour and glitz, and of grandeur and bravado.
This exhibit runs January 26th-March 28th.
On Saturday, February 23rd, Christie and I will join for a talk and slideshow presentation for related program Intrigue and Art at the Fair.
This year will sparkle a great momentum in San Francisco to honor the 80th anniversary of the Treasure Island fair. Illusion and the Magic City will commemorate the first exhibit. I'm beyond thrilled to showcase my paintings along with rest of treasures for this exhibition and so delighted to work with Christie Nelson and the wonderful team at the History Center.
Official Press Release:
The San Francisco History Center presents a small exhibition Illusion & the Magic City. The exhibition marks the 80th Anniversary of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island (GGIE). Illusion & the Magic City features original souvenirs, photographs, and ephemera from the collections of the San Francisco History Center. Incorporated into the exhibition, are a selection of captivating oil paintings by local artist Patricia Araujo. Come see how Ralph Stackpole’s iconic Pacifica statue at the Fair inspires the work of Ms. Araujo.
The Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island celebrated the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. The theme of the fair, “Pageant of the Pacific,” gave a Pacific Rim influence to the art, architecture and landscape design at the fairgrounds while blending in modernism and technological innovations. The Fair also debuted a portion of the WPA San Francisco wood model in the Redwood Building.
Related program: Intrigue and Art at the Fair –A Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Golden Gate International Exposition with author Christie Nelson and artist Patricia Araujo in the Skylight Gallery on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00pm.
Christie Nelson at SF History Center
Patricia Araujo posing a-la-Pacifica! Photo by F. Mijango
Photo taken at SF History Center
with Laura Ackley, Christie Nelson and Ron Young.