CLAREMONT, CA.-The Claremont Museum of Art, which opened on April 15, 2007, presents its second exhibition on July 22 with the opening of LOCUS I: Art and Craft of Claremont and the Region. The show is the first of a projected series of exhibitions devoted to presenting a cross section of the art and craft currently being produced in and around Claremont. The exhibit will run through September 3.

The word “locus” is the Latin word for “locality” or “place.” With LOCUS I, the Museum seeks to celebrate the nurturing and dynamic artistic environment of Claremont and the surrounding area.

Claremont, the Pomona Valley, and its environs are home to a vibrant and ever-changing community of artists and craftspeople of the highest caliber. Whether they first came here as students, teachers, residents, or to partake in the energy of the companionship of fellow artists, they represent a rich and enduring link to the history of the region as well as evidence of its continuing vitality and creative energy of contemporary artistic production.

The 13 artists selected for this inaugural presentation symbolize the variety and sophistication of the artists who enrich the region. Each artist adds to the vibrancy and justifiable conceit that the greater Claremont area is indeed a hub of enormous creative output of remarkable variety and high quality.

Artists included vary broadly in age and in terms of the media they employ, and represent both art and craft traditions. The artists in the show include Dee Marcellus Cole, Gary Geraths, Crispin Gonzalez, Rebecca Hamm, Amy Maloof, Chuck Moffit, Michael O’Malley, Thomas Pathé, Susan Rankaitis, Juan Thorp, Ruth Trotter, Michael Woodcock, and Connie Zehr. Exhibit run: Sunday, July 22 – Monday, September 3, 2007.