The Bowers Museum building is a gorgeous Spanish style structure that was built in 1931 on land already donated to the city of Santa Ana by a late 1800's developer named Charles Bowers. It was never used as a private residence but, opened it's doors as a museum in 1936.
The permanent collection is full of beautiful artworks by mostly local artists who have donated works. My mother-inlaw tried to donate a family heirloom painting once but, was turned down :(
Besides the costume exhibit there is a FABULOUS exhibit of 50 drawings by Maurice Sendak celebrating 50 years of his work.
This exhibit will end April 28, 2013.
Also included in the price of admission is a scrimshaw exhibit of incredibly wonderful pieces carved by American whalers during the late 1800s. The items range from everyday pieces to decorative and the intricacy of the pieces is just amazing! The item pictured is a thread swift (?).
I love scrimshaw and I wonder if the old hippie in Jullian who makes scrimshaw ( Nov. 21, 2011 post titled Scrimshaw Encounter ) has been to this exhibit?
Exhibit will end July 7, 2013
These fantastic huge golden objects are earrings (!) from Mali.
Apparently such earrings are passed from generation to generation and obviously represent wealth.
Talk about bling!
After a thoroughly enjoyable leisurely perusal of all things great and small at the Bowers Museum my good friend and I concluded our visit with a very delicious lunch at the museum restaurant.
Good time, good friend, good food = a good day
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