The Claremont Museum of Art will host the 12th annual Padua Hills Art Fiesta on Sunday, November 1 with an outdoor art show, art and craft demonstrations, music and more.

The recently-produced film Design for Modern Living: Millard Sheets and the Claremont Art Community 1935-1975 will be shown throughout the day and an exhibition will feature paintings by one of California’s most recognized artists, Millard Sheets. More information is available at www.claremontmuseum.org.

Some local residents still recall the popular Padua Hills Art Fiesta held through the 1950s. Since 2011, the Claremont Museum of Art has continued the tradition, with area artists showing their work under the shady olive trees of the beautifully restored Padua Hills Theatre. 

The event runs Sunday, November 1 from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for CMA members. Children under 18 are free.

Twenty five area artists will display and sell their paintings, prints, ceramics, glass, sculpture, textiles and jewelry. Area art organizations will provide art and craft demonstrations.

A Claremont Museum of Art exhibition, Millard Sheets: Hills and Horses, will show how a love of horses inspired the artwork of Padua Hills’ artist Millard Sheets from the 1940 to the 1960s.

The documentary film Design for Modern Living will be shown throughout the day.

ARTstART students will lead children in creative art activities and a music stage will feature local performers. Festive foods will be served with traditional Jamaica punch and fresh lemonade. 

First held in 1953, the Padua Hills Art Fiesta was organized by local artists to bring art into the community. The studio art movement that flourished here in the 1950s centered on the use of natural materials and traditional sensibilities—watercolor, pottery, woodworking, sculpture in stone, bronze and ceramic, mosaic and textiles as well as painting. Visitors came from miles around to meet the artists and watch “art in action” at the popular festival.