The Huntington to Present Major Exhibition on Sargent Claude Johnson
Tue., Oct. 3, 2023
The Huntington will produce a major exhibition and book on Black artist Sargent Claude Johnson, whose powerful works—masks, portrait busts, and figural sculptures created in the 1920s and 1930s—have become emblems of the Harlem Renaissance. This will be the first exhibition devoted to Johnson in over 25 years.
Avocados at The Huntington and Beyond
Tue., Oct. 3, 2023 | Sandy Masuo
In 1905, Henry E. Huntington asked his superintendent of grounds, William Hertrich, if it was possible to grow an avocado orchard. Hertrich replied that he would be willing to make the experiment. More than a century later, the avocado experiment continues, linking communities and expanding our understanding of plant science.
News
2023 Art Acquisitions Make Connections Across Time, Space, and The Huntington’s Collections
Thu., Sept. 28, 2023
Spanning more than 450 years, the works come from a diverse group of artists from across the globe, including Edward Mitchell Bannister, Agostino Brunias, Dominique Fung, David Hockney, Letitia Huckaby, Mineo Mizuno, Kenjiro Nomura, Sandy Rodriguez, Betye Saar, Lilly Martin Spencer, Nari Ward, and Qiu Ying.
Vincent Lugo and the Monsters of La Laguna
Tue., Sept. 26, 2023 | Cheryl Cheng
Vincent Lugo, whose family papers are at The Huntington, helped build the beloved La Laguna de San Gabriel playground, also known as “Monster Park.” The so-called monsters are play sculptures of an octopus called Ozzie, a whale known as Minnie, and a starfish named Stella, among other smiling sea creatures.
News
The Huntington Acquires Rare Scroll Painted by Ming Dynasty Master Qiu Ying
Tue., Sept. 19, 2023
The Huntington has announced the acquisition of Zhou Dunyi Admiring Lotuses, a rare hanging scroll painted by Qiu Ying (ca. 1495–ca. 1552), one of the most celebrated Chinese artists of the 16th century.
Conferences
Paintings, Peepshows, and Porcupines: Exhibitions in London
Tue., Sept. 12, 2023 | Jordan Bear and Catherine Roach
Art exhibitions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries created rich immersive environments of fine art working in tandem with other media, which today can seem like a bewildering jumble. The Huntington’s “Paintings, Peepshows, and Porcupines” conference will begin to make sense of this apparent chaos.
Sensory Adventures in the Gardens
Tue., Sept. 5, 2023 | Sandy Masuo
With the aim of engaging a more diverse cross section of people, The Huntington created the Meet Me in the Garden program as a way of welcoming visitors with different sensory needs. The program is geared toward families with members who identify as disabled, but all guests can participate.
News
The Huntington Store Offers Delightful Gifts for the 2023 Holiday Season
Tue., Sept. 5, 2023
Items range from handmade jewelry to frameable art and home goods, all in tune with The Huntington’s remarkable library, art, and botanical collections.
Art
“Drifting Toward Twilight” Debuts Nov. 11
Tue., Aug. 29, 2023
Renowned American artist Betye Saar’s large-scale work “Drifting Toward Twilight” will go on view Nov. 11, 2023, in the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art.
Library
A Thousand Years of Books: Printed in 1085
Tue., Aug. 29, 2023
Some people assume that the Gutenberg Bible is the oldest printed book at The Huntington. But there’s a much older one that dates back almost 1,000 years ago! Curator Li Wei Yang explores the connections between the printing cultures of China and Europe.
Botanical
Conservatory Collaboration
Tue., Aug. 22, 2023 | Sandy Masuo
The Huntington’s Botanical staff members routinely collaborate with other institutions to tackle conservation challenges. Most of the time, these are carefully planned projects: propagating rare and endangered species, making gardens more resilient to the changing climate, and teaching cryopreservation or culturing plant tissue. But sometimes, the unexpected happens.
Gateway to the Desert Garden
Tue., Aug. 15, 2023 | Sandy Masuo
The Desert Garden is one of the world’s premier collections of succulent plants, covering more than 10 acres and comprising more than 5,000 arid-adapted plants. The Desert Garden Entrance Project, nearing completion, will make it possible to showcase more of this collection and spotlight the significance of these plants.