FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nancy Moure, distinguished historian of California art, joins the Central California Museum of Art
July 15, 2010
ATASCADERO, CA – Nancy Moure, a curator and scholar specializing in the historic California art, has agreed to become Senior Art Historical Advisor for the new Central California Museum of Art. Praising Moure’s appointment, Gordon Fuglie, head of Curatorial Affairs and CCMA Advisory Council member, said, “We are thrilled to have a high level specialist like Nancy on board to guide us in developing programming of important and overlooked artists who have done important work in the mid-state.”
Moure, who lives in Glendale and the Central Coast village of Cambria, holds the M.A. in Art History from UCLA and served for fifteen years as Assistant Curator of American Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Her Dictionary of Art and Artists in Southern California Before 1930 (1975) was a pioneering work in the field of California art history. In addition, Moure has published more than 50 books and articles including the historical surveys: Painting and Sculpture in Los Angeles, 1900-1945, Drawings and Illustrations by Southern California Artists Before 1950, and Loners, Mavericks and Dreamers: Art in Los Angeles Before 1900. She is best known for her magnum opus, California Art: 450 Years of Painting and Other Media (1998), the first historical survey of the state’s art from its Spanish colonial beginnings to the end of the second millennium.
Moure is currently preparing an exhibition and publication on the art of the Central Coast, from the Santa Ynez Mountains to Big Sur. She is also interested in artists who painted watercolor views of the Central Coast, including Phil Dike, Phil Paradise, George Gibson, Milford Zornes, Emil Kosa, Jr., Charles Payzant, and Millard Sheets. In addition, Moure maintains the website www.californiaart.com that lists publications, galleries, news and events pertaining to historic California art.
“The area between Santa Barbara and Monterey has long needed a professional art museum, especially one that takes a regional perspective on the art of the mid-state. I’m pleased to lend my support to the CCMA and look forward to working with the advisory council in charting its future,” said Moure.
According to CCMA Advisory Council member, Dr. Judy L. Larson, R. Anthony Askew Professor of Art History at Westmont College and Director of the Reynolds Gallery in Santa Barbara, “Lively and thorough regional art history is integral to the mission of the Central California Museum of Art and will be the core of our programming and educational outreach. I’ve long respected Nancy’s work. The CCMA enthusiastically welcomes her collaboration in fulfilling our mission.”
For more information, contact Gordon Fuglie, at 805.461.1699. Nancy Moure may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Dr. Judy Larson may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
