Built in 1854 on16 acres this classic revival mansion was used to house the superintendents of the nearby New Almaden Quicksilver mine. The mine was considered the largest of its kind in the Americas and at one point Casa Grande became a retreat for the mine’s investors. The recently restored mansion, museum and grounds are open to public and for more on the site go to:
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/Almaden-Quicksilver-Mining-Museum.aspx
Several Paintsite artists were intrigued by Casa Grande’s striking white facade, the warm and cool shadows cast by the surrounding balconies, groupings of century cactus and slender, and swaying palm trees. While others were attracted to the rich colors of the nearby redwood water tower or the weathered wood exterior of the outbuildings. The older trees along the Alamitos Creek provided perfect shade to sit and paint.
Normally the mansion and museum are closed to visitors on Thursdays but thanks to special arrangements made by Santa Clara County Staff the building’s washrooms were opened for our visit.
For additional photos of the Casa Paintsite please refer to Edward Rooks's Flickr page at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwardrooks/albums/72157709072901036
Upcoming Paintsites. See the SCVWS website or the June/July Newsletters for details.
- Thursday, June 20, Maryknoll Retirement Residence, Los Altos
- Thursday, June 27, Sunnyvale Historical Museum
- Thursday, July 11, Moss Landing Harbor
- Thursday, July 18, Stevens Creek County Park Lakeshore Picnic Area, Cupertino
- Thursday, July 25, Portola Vineyards, Portola Valley
Artists and their artwork
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| Liz's watercolor of Casa Grande |
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| Liz |
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| Annie's view of the water tower and Casa Grande grounds |
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| Annie |
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| Brad's sketch of Casa Grande |
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| Brad |
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| Broncha's painting of an outbuilding near the creek |
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| Broncha |
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| Edward's view of Casa Grande painted from the shaded creekside |
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| Edward |
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| Cindy's watercolor of Casa Grande |
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| Cindy |
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| Dick's painting of the old water tower located on the edge of the grounds |
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| Dick and Salinda |
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| Tanvi's watercolor of the mansion |
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| Tanvi |
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| Grace D's watercolor of the tall swaying palms. |
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| Grace D |
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| Matt's painting of the front view of Casa Grande |
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| Matt |
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| Salinda's painting of the water tower |
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| Helen's sepia toned painting of Casa Grande |
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| Helen |
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| Iris's watercolor of an outbuilding near the Alamitos Creek |
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| Iris |
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| Indira's painting of Casa Grande |
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| Indira |
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| Sham's painting of the mansion and rear garden |
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| Sham |
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| Jane's painting |
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| Jane |
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| Paintsite artists at lunch |
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| Artists view their work |
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| Artists viewing their paintings |
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