LODI ART
Wine seems to pair naturally with things that give our other senses
pleasure: music, the flavor of food (apprehended through smell),
and our understanding of the world that is captured in visual art.
In Lodi, a wine appellation that is rising in reputation for its
wines, the art scene is in its renaissance as well.
A wonderful way to sample the local arts much
as one might sample the wines is to gallery hop during one of the
town’s First
Fridays. As the name suggests, these events are held on the first
Fridays of each month and are hosted in various venues. For more
information on this or other arts events, visit the Lodi Arts Commission’s
site at www.lodiarts.org or
call (209) 333.5511.
In addition to the wide array of galleries
and art-focused coffee shops, the area is also home to many museums.
At the south end of Lodi, the San Joaquin Museum comprises a 15-acre
complex which includes several exhibit buildings, historic structures,
and gardens featuring native California plants. In addition to
the permanent collection, the museum also offers such eclectic
fare in its temporary installments (running through September)as
an impressive collection of Ansel Adams photographs; a display
of samurai swords, some from the 1600s; and – not
to be missed -- “Vintage Undergarments,” which features
women’s underwear from 1860 to 1950. Their website is www.sanjoaquinhistory.org,
or you can call (209) 331-2055 for more information.
For a peek at the past, visit the Hill House
Museum, also located in the town of Lodi. This early 20th century
Victorian House is filled with mementos from the family of Maurice
Hill, who died in 1984. Built for George Washington Hill, a prominent
jeweler and watchmaker, the house also has a room filled with items
donated by locals which chronicle the unique history of the area.
Lodi historian Ralph Lea’s
photographs can be found throughout the museum as well. The only
caveat is that Hill House is open to the public Sundays only from
1-4 p.m., though private tours can be arranged. For more information
leave a message at (209) 369-6073.
