Enjoy your museum in South Bay San Diego, The Bonita Museum contains two large galleries for visitors to view history, art, and cultural exhibits. The front gallery presents a portion of the museum’s permanent collection which depicts the history of the region including Rancho de la Nacion ranchos and the Sweetwater Valley. The larger second gallery presents changing exhibits such as local contemporary art, history and cultural exhibitions.
The Bonita Historical Society is dedicated to preserve, for public education and enjoyment, the culture, history, art, crafts, and aesthetic facets of the region, specifically El Rancho de la Nacion in South San Diego County. Entry is free to the museum
Highlights:
Proctor Valley Monster Footprint
Paleontology of the Sweetwater Valley and San Diego
Sculpture of San Diego Symphony conductor Mastro Jahja Ling
Mehl Lawson, Cowboy Artists of America sculpture
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Art, History, and Culture exhibitions:
Sheep to Shawl International Competition: Sat. May 14
9am – 5pm
Lumière de California: California Art Club
Exhibition dates: May 21 – June 24, 2022
Reception: Sat. May 21 – 4:30 -to 7:00pm
- Wednesday May 18 at 9am meet at the museum for a “Bonita Paint-Out” with host artist Mehl Lawson. Paintings from the paint-out will be displayed in the “Wet Gallery” during the Lumière de California exhibition.
- Saturday May 28
9:30 – 12noon Demonstration by Calvin Liang, please rsvp here
1:00 – 2:00pm Demonstration by Lisa Capano, Painting Restoration - Friday June 3
11:00am – 12:30noon History Comes to Life with 1915 painters Alice Klauber and Robert Henri. rsvp here
About the exhibition
Lumière de California celebrates the unique light of California as expressed through plein air painting. Forty-three artworks in the exhibition feature the essence of morning light, afternoon sun, as well as twilight. Sky, water and mountains interact to express the beauty of California.
Artists in the exhibition include Brian Belfield, Scottie Brown, Tonya Burdine, Gloria Chadwick, Rick Delanty, Mark Fehlman, Roger Gordon, Laurie Hendricks, Carolyn Hesse-Low (artwork “Skies over Hwys” featured above), Michael Hill, Debra Holliday, Debra Huse, Rose Irelan, Chuck Kovacic, Lester Machado, Rich Magram, Brad Neal, Jon Olson, Kathryn Peterson, Robin Purcell, Daniel Raminfard, Jeff Remmer, Jeannine Savedra, Lisa Skelly, Joyce Trinh, Sharon Weaver, Jeff Yeomans
The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center (BMCC) is located in South Bay San Diego along the Sweetwater River. From the mountains to the bay, the Sweetwater valley has been an ideal historic location for plein air painting. Plein air painter Alfred Mitchell started the Chula Vista Art Guild seventy six years ago to document the flora and fauna of South Bay San Diego. Website: https://bonitahistoricalsociety.org/lumiere-de-california-california-art-club/
San Diego Book Arts
Exhibition dates: July 9 – August 26th 2022
Reception: Sat. July 9
Featuring handmade books by members of San Diego Book Arts. Activities during the month includes workshops and a “Summer Literacy” program where you will find book making activities around San Diego. Partner organizations include San Diego Libros, Bonita-Sunnyside Library and the Athenaeum Print shop.
Visit Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
Address:
4355 Bonita Road
Bonita, CA
91902
Phone:
(619) 267-5141
Hours:
Open Wednesday through Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
4355 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA
