Mission San Juan Capistrano’s new Art Guild held its first meeting on June 17 in the Mission’s Soldiers Barracks.
The purpose of this first meeting was to engage those who have supported previous art conservation projects, and discuss options about art that is in the Mission’s collection.
The meeting featured the Mission’s Museum Registrar Jennifer Ring presenting the results of the Balboa Art Conservation Center’s recent assessment of the Mission’s current collection, a project that was made possible by a grant from the California Missions Foundation. Ring discussed some of the paintings, showing the decay and the work that will be necessary to conserve them.
Also on display were previously conserved paintings with “before and after” posters.
Those in attendance for the meeting included Jim Swinden of Irvine Museum, Madeline Swinden, a Mission Preservation Foundation Board member, Deanna and Robert Saint-Aubin, Jan and Warren Siegel, and Mozelle Sukut.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A with Ring and Mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams, who answered questions and explained how members can get involved.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
Submitted By: Joe Haakenson
