Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts (Stanford: Lomita Dr. & Museum Way; 650/723-4177. museum.stanford.edu) • Dreaming of a Speech Without Words: The Paintings and Early Objects of H.C. Westermann (thru Mar 2) H.C. Westermann is famous for his sculpture, but this exhibit focuses on his early work of paintings from the 1950’s and 1960’s, many of which focused on World War II and the Korean War. • Private and Public: Class, Personality, Politics, and Landscape in British Photography (thru April 6) Cantor’s collection examines the issue of class in British society. • Tourism and the American Landscape (Jan 30-May 4) Combining sketches, paintings, drawings, books and stereographs from artists Frederic Church, Winslow Homer and Thomas Moran, this exhibit delves into the industry of tourism in America during the late 19th century. Wed-Sun, 11-5,Thurs ‘til 8pm.
Palo Alto Art Center (Palo Alto: 1313 Newell Rd.; 650/329-2366. www.paacf.org) • Winter 2008 Exhibitions (Jan 27-April 27) This exhibition focuses on ceramic, enamel and fiber art. All of the pieces are from the private collections of Forrest L. Merrill and Sara and David Liberman. This is a rare chance to see some of the finest ceramic and fiber art in the country. Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm; Tues, Wed & Thurs, till 10pm; Sun, 1pm-5pm.
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (San Jose: 560 S. First St.; 408/283-8155. www.sjica.org) • The Landscape of War (thru Jan 19) This exhibit focuses on the timely issue of war. Anne Veh curated the exhibit and has chosen artists that aim to engage the public in dialog about these turbulent times. • Berlin Wall Series (thru Jan 19) Susan Wexler’s paintings, inspired by her trip to Berlin in 1988, are on display. • Mapping Time (Jan 18-March 15) This collection of Doug Glovaski’s abstract paintings is a great retrospective of the art he has produced over the past 17 years. Tues-Fri, 10am-5pm; Thurs till 8pm; Sat, 12-5pm.
San Jose Museum of Art (San Jose: 110 S. Market St.; 408/294-2787. www.sjmusart.org) • De-Natured: Works from the Anderson Collection (thru Jan 6) This collection features works from Wayne Thiebaud, Roy DeForest and Vija Celmins. All of the art emphasizes on the changes that take place between artist and nature as a contemporary landscape begins to take shape. Instead of sweepingly pristine pastures, pollution is the focus of these works. • Diebenkorn in New Mexico: 1950-1952 (thru Jan 6) Abstract expressionist Richard Diebenkorn’s paintings and prints focus on the dry desert landscapes of New Mexico. • Fantastic Universe (thru Feb 3) The printmaking work of influential modernist Joan Miró is exhibited. Tues-Sun, 11-5.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles (San Jose: 520 S. First St.; 408/971-0323. www.sjquiltmuseum.org) • Marian Clayden: The Dyer’s Hand (Jan 15-Mar 23) This exhibit covers the work of dyer and textile artist Marian Clayden, who began as a painter and later transitioned to fiber art and fashion design. Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm; open late for South First Fridays.
