The Claremont Museum of Art will host its annual gala on Saturday, September 22 on the lawn at the Claremont Depot. This year’s theme, “Women of Vision,” honors two Claremont women who have been the moving forces behind the Claremont Museum of Art (CMA)—Marguerite McIntosh, wife of iconic ceramist Harrison McIntosh, and Sandy Baldonado, former mayor of Claremont.

The original concept for a museum showcasing Claremont’s legacy artists was one Ms. McIntosh promoted for decades. Her dream finally came to fruition in 2007.

Ms. Baldonado took over as president of CMA in 2010, and it was her vision and determination, with the support of the Claremont city council, that made it possible for CMA to move into the Depot in 2015.

This year’s gala will feature a reception, silent auction, curated wine pull, dinner by Chef Henry Gonzales of Spaggi’s, and a live auction and paddle auction benefitting CMA’s arts education program, Project ARTstART, in the Claremont schools. 

Organizers say it promises to be a lively and enjoyable evening, with many surprises from fine wines to art and experiences.

A few of the legacy and current artists represented in the silent and live auctions include Phil Dike, Millard Sheets, James Fuller, Rebecca Hamm, Paul Brayton and Richard Martinez.

Building on its theme of visionary women, the CMA’s fall exhibition, Primal Nature: Animalia by Women in Post-War Claremont, will have its grand opening the same evening.

Tickets are $125 per person, and a table for nine people is $1,250. The deadline for reservations is September 18. To make reservations, contact Marilyn Ray by calling (909) 917-6511, or by emailing her at marilynray348@gmail.com.