Ontario Museum of
History & Art, Associates
'Built on Water' exhibit set to
open this spring
If you visit the Ontario Museum of History & Art these days, you might see a little dust and a lot of construction.
The main reason for this -- there are other improvements going on at our facility -- is the construction of a new exhibit: “Built on Water: Ontario and Inland Southern California.”
The new exhibit has been made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
“Built on Water,” due to open in 2022, will be devoted to an examination of the history, present and future of water conservation in the region.
The exhibit will focus on the regional relationship with water, where it comes from, conservation measures under way and how we are dealing with underground pollution of water sources.
During the construction, the museum will remain open to the public. Information is available at the Museum Associates website, oma1996.com, or at 909-395-2510.
The Museum is at 225 S. Euclid Ave., Ontario.
Busy days at
the Museum
The last few weeks have been especially busy at the Museum as more people are getting out following the epidemic.
An estimated 500 visitors toured the Museum during the Ontario Festival of the Arts held on Oct. 16 in the street next to the Museum.
Another 200 or more were on hand for the Museum's Dia de los Muertos open house a week earlier.
And school tours have finally returned. A total of 260 young and old were part of 11 tours conducted recently through the museum.
Museum Programs
EXHIBITIONS
Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women
Dec. 2 - Jan. 16
The Association of Pioneer Women of California formed in 1900 and collected the reminiscences of women who arrived in California before 1854 in a single ledger. This incredible document, filled with over 800 handwritten stories of California pioneer women and in the collection of The Society of California Pioneers, is the basis for this exhibition. Together, the ledger and exhibition create a more complete and balanced understanding of our shared history, by highlighting the voices of women who traveled to California. An important section of the exhibition is comprised of 40 diverse portraits of unidentified women. These women represent the thousands of pioneers whose stories were never recorded; each one had a story to tell which is lost to time.
EVENTS
Workshop: Mount Baldy in a snow globe
Dec. 12, noon to 2 p.m.
Bring your friends and family to create your very own snow globe of your winter adventures! We will share stories of Mount San Antonio and learn what a gift it is to have this neighboring mountain in our landscape. Warm treats and supplies provided.
Information: (909) 395-2510.
That’s a Wrap - Museum Edition
Dec. 18, 1 to 3 p.m.
We’ve collaborated with the Lewis Family Branch Library to bring you holiday wrapping. Deck out your gifts by creating your own Ontario-inspired wrapping paper using treasured icons like our Frankish fountain, Armstrong Roses, and Nugent’s Horseshoes!
Information: (909) 395-2510,
Workshop: Creative approaches to the Selfie Portrait
Jan. 8, 1 to 4 p.m.
Participate in this community portrait workshop led by educator, artist, and scholar Richard May. You will re-discover parts of yourself that you love and have forgotten while experimenting with different portraiture exercises. Guests are invited to bring a
self-portrait; all other materials will be provided.
Roundtable: Celebrate Women Civil Rights Activists
Jan. 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
In the words of Coretta Scott King, “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become the soul.” Tour Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women exhibit and join us for a roundtable highlighting important women of the civil rights movement and those who played an important part of California history.
Workshop: Emerging Artist Meet-Up
Jan. 22, 10 a.m. to noon
We’re creating space for new and emerging artists! We want to help you build the tools you need to get your name and artwork out there. For more details on the artist meet-up. Visit OntarioMuseum.org or call (909) 395-2510.
Tour & Tea: Water-Wise Garden
Jan. 28, 1 to 2:30, p.m.
Bring your favorite tea cup and join us for an afternoon of introspection! Tour our water-wise garden and reflect on the impact of water in our lives. Our discussions will also include a teaser to our upcoming Built on Water: Ontario and Inland Southern California exhibit to open thisn spring. Tea will be provided.