Art enthusiasts and history buffs alike are in for a treat as Jack London State Historic Park gears up to showcase "Tilden Daken: The Art of Adventure," a special exhibition featuring the works of the acclaimed California Impressionist artist, Tilden Daken. The show, which has been drawing crowds at the Museum of Sonoma County, will make its move to the park's House of Happy Walls Museum on April 19 and runs until June 23, according to the Jack London Park website.
Daken, who was a contemporary and pal of the storied American novelist Jack London, had a knack for capturing the state's raw beauty during his lifetime from 1876 to 1935. His work offers a window into the untouched Californian landscapes and the era's pivotal happenings, like the catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In total, the prolific painter is said to have produced around 4,000 canvasses, Sonoma County Gazette reports.
The upcoming exhibition, curated by Jennifer Bethke of the Museum of Sonoma County, is the first of its kind at the renovated House of Happy Walls Museum since 2018. Attendees will be treated to a selection of Daken's landscapes, which go beyond Sonoma County, featuring scenes from Mexico, Hawaii, and underwater views of the Pacific Ocean, as Bonnie Portnoy, Daken's granddaughter and biographer, detailed to the Sonoma County Gazette.
Apart from the visual feast, visitors can expect to delve into the narrative weaving through Daken's paintings as Portnoy shares tales of her grandfather's escapades and his association with London. The Park's entry fee, a mere $10 per vehicle, will include access to this landmark exhibit. The House of Happy Walls Museum is ready to welcome visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the park itself is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a historical and artistic journey set against the lush backdrop of Glen Ellen's rolling hills and verdant landscapes. For more information on what's sure to be an immersive exhibit, the public can visit jacklondonpark.com.