Paintsites Blog: Agnews Historic Park, Santa Clara, Thursday, September 6, 2018

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Agnews Historic Park, Santa Clara, Thursday, September 6, 2018

The Oracle R&D facility and conference center, a campus-like setting, was the former Agnews Insane Asylum. It consists of numerous beautiful buildings in the Mediterranean Revival style. Agnews first opened in 1889, and was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake with low-rise buildings along tree-lined streets. It was specifically intended to be a “cheerful” place to bring light and air to patients. Agnews Hospital closed in the late 1990’s and the campus was sold to Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle). Today it is used as an R&D campus with public access to many of the buildings preserved in the park-like setting. The artists enjoyed painting the Clock Tower Building, the Auditorium, and the Administration building with their elaborate brickwork and rich details.

For information about Agnews history: Link
For information about the Agnews Historic Park: Link

Upcoming paintsites: See the SCVWS website or the September newsletter for details:

Sep 13, 2018: Palo Alto Baylands
Sep 20, 2018: Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero
Saturday, Sep 22, 2018: Special event at Heritage Park, Mountain View
Sept 27, 2018: Ainsley House, Campbell
Oct 4, 2018: Martins Beach, reservation required, members only
Oct 11, 2018: Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont
Oct 18, 2018: Mountain View Main Library/Pioneer Park
Oct 25, 2018: Clos LaChance winery, San Martin

Shows & Exhibits by Paintsites Regulars:

Watercolors by Jane Saltman, Nancy Troup, and Tanvi Buch are featured in the Los Altos History Museum's "Paint the Town ll: Echoes of the Past " show which runs from July 5 to October 7, 2018. Tanvi's painting of "Voyageur du Temps" received the Honorable Mention award. The Museum is located at 51 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos. Hours are Thu - Sun: noon - 4 PM. Admission is free. (Official website: https://www.losaltoshistory.org/2018/06/los-altos-history-museums-exhibit-paint-the-town-features-artwork-of-historic-landmarks/
Annie Haines and John Ediger each have two paintings in the California Watercolor Association's "Explore Color / Discover Color" exhibit at Dominican University, 50 Acacia Ave, San Rafael. John's painting "Red Barn" was the 2nd place award. The show runs thru January 31, 2019. (Official website: http://www.californiawatercolor.org/index.php )

Paintsite Regular on TV:

Candy Yu was interviewed about her art for two installments of the "In Our Community" program which was aired on KMVT15 Community Media in August. Each installment is about 25 minutes long:

Artists and their artwork:

The clocktower building, historically known as the Treatment Building, was erected in 1908. It is a very imposing building and the painting subject of many artists.

Rich painting the Clocktower Building

Rich's painting of the Clocktower Building

Kristi

Kristi's painting of the Clocktower

Benay

Benay's painting of the Clocktower Building

Carol

Carol's painting of the Clocktower Building

Broncha

Broncha's painting of a Clocktower

Building window and garden area

Annie

Annie's painting of bunya-bunya tree in the park

Jan and Tanvi

Tanvi's detail of the Administration building

The Auditorium, historically known as Assembly Hall, was erected in 1914. The management of the hospital believed that recreation could be used as a tool to shape behaviour; therefore, the Auditorium housed spaces for performances, social gatherings, billiards, and music, and served as the hospital's principal social center. It was also the painting subject for many of our artists.