Established in the 1950s, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art traces its origins to the San Luis Obispo Art Association. In 2011, the institution took on its current identity as the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA), marking a pivotal moment in its history. Through exhibitions, education, creation, and collaboration, the Museum of Art continues to fulfill its vision of enriching the community with a wide range of artistic encounters.
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection was conceived by longtime volunteer curator Arne Nybak. Established in 1998, Mr. Nybak was a staunch supporter of the visual arts and of the region’s artists during the early days of the Art Center in the 1960s and 1970s. The Board of Directors established the Permanent Collection as a testament to the artistic richness of the region and to honor Arne Nybak’s decades of service. While the Museum is not currently adding to the Permanent Collection, it reflects the Museum’s roots and founding legacy.
At this time, the Museum is not accepting new works for inclusion in the Permanent Collection. The Collection is not currently on display except for a rotating spotlight feature across from our Broad Street exit. For research and image use inquiries, please contact the Museum’s Collections Manager.
Museum Collection Holdings
Birds of Paradise
Le Wi Hoagland was an active member and supporter during this organization’s early years as the SLO Art Association. Originally from the East Coast where she ran a summer camp for children.
Fire Breather
Gladys Gray was born in Truckee, California and was raised in a family of artists on a cattle ranch. She spent her summers in the Truckee-Tahoe area.
Fields of Fire: Lompoc
John Barnard was born and raised in Long Beach, California. He got serious about art in the second grade. In high school an art teacher, Ruth Burdick, persuaded him to enroll in art classes.
Untitled (blue bird)
Howard Bradford (1919-2008) was born in Toronto, Canada and moved, at a young age, to Los Angeles, California. Howard Bradford spent his youth raising chickens and growing dahlias.
Morning in Tenejapa
A native of Los Angeles, California, Roger Armstrong studied at Pasadena City College and Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, and spent considerable time studying with…
Cymbidiums in the Window
Dorothy Cutter lives in Morro Bay, California. She studied at the Maryland Art Institute, Corcoran Museum School, American University and the California College of Arts and Crafts…
Gretchen
Helen Hunt Reid was born in Kansas City, Missouri then moved to Los Angeles where she earned degrees at UCLA and USC.
The Making of an Etching
A native of San Luis Obispo, Mr. Reynold’s paintings are in art collections throughout the US.
Untitled (Still Life with Pears)
Lou Stillwell lived in San Luis Obispo County during the formative years of the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art…
Self Portrait
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Party Time
Stanton Gray, with his wife Gladys, were strong supporters and patrons of the Art Center….
TV Newsroom KQED
M. (Margaret) C. Maxwell, an art teacher at Cuesta and San Luis High School…
Red Flowers
Jo Werts studied art at the Chicago Art Institute and the University of Chicago…
California Spring #1
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Double Doña
Gini Allen Griffin is known for her paintings, murals, and ceramics….
Untitled (Still Life with Fruits & Vegetables)
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Untitled (Studies of Arne Nybak)
Robert Reynolds is a landscape artist who concentrates on the pristine nature areas…
Sonata
Bertha Artindale was a gifted painter who came to California after WWII…
Poster: Peonies in Blue Vase, 1983
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Artist’s Journal (Circle series #1)
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Cut Glass Decanter
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Helen Hunt Reid moved to Los Angeles where she earned degrees at UCLA and USC…
Untitled (Man With Guitar)
Roberta Jean Owen lives in the Frazier Park area of Bakersfield, California. A large exhibit of…
At The Mirror
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Untitled (Mother With Child)
Roberta Jean Owen lives in the Frazier Park area of Bakersfield, California. A large exhibit of…
Going Home
Robert Reynolds is a landscape artist who concentrates on the pristine nature areas…
Untitled (River & Bridge)
Marvin Lane was a painter from Chicago, who painted architectural designs. Most of his work was done in the 1950s in Chicago…
Morro Bay
John Warren was a lithographer employed by the WPA in San Francisco in the 1930s. He is mostly known for…
Untitled (Cityscape In Mountains)
Vern Swansen was born in Oregon on August 9, 1916. Mr. Swansen grew up in Pasadena and majored in architecture…
Untitled (Seascape)
John Warren was a lithographer employed by the WPA in San Francisco in the 1930s. He is mostly known for his watercolor paintings and is believed to have been part of the Federal Art Project exhibit in…
Shadow of Man
Marvin Lane was a painter from Chicago where he painted mostly urbanscapes. He moved to San Luis Obispo and lived a reclusive lifestyle in the Wineman Hotel…
Untitled (Abstract Landscape)
Ivy Parsons was a member of the San Luis Obispo Art Center and a benefactor and patron of the Art Center. She had a distinct style…
Untitled
Phil Dike was born and raised in Southern California. In 1923, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Chouinard…
Moon Reflections
Originally from Pasadena, Hilda Gass later moved to the Central Coast area. She was especially gifted in color and design…
Untitled (Female Nude)
Helen Manazon was a Morro Bay artist with an active studio. She was a prominent member of the artistic community in the 1980s…
Departure at Night
Anne Jenkins was an artist and leader of the Docent Council at the San Luis Obispo Arts Council for several years…
Untitled (Abstract Cityscape)
Ivy Parsons was a member of the San Luis Obispo Art Center and a benefactor and patron of the…
Untitled (Vase With Flowers)
Helen Manazon was a Morro Bay artist with an active studio. She was a prominent member of the artistic community in the 1980s…
Portrait of Arne Nybak
Raised in an Italian-American blue-collar family in Southern California, David Settino Scott became interested in art while…
Nasturtium Leaves
Born in Iowa, Jo Werts attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago where a few of her instructors were Richard Diebenkorn…
Robin Hood (Widow Scarlet Costume Sketch)
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
At The Races (Costume Sketch)
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Theater Sketch #1
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Untitled (Figures in Greys)
Phil Dike was born and raised in Southern California. In 1923, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Chouinard Art Institute…
Normal II
Marian Stevens is a California artist and teacher, leading the Life Drawing classes at Cuesta College for many years.
Isobar, c. 1970s
Artist Emily Polk donated this artwork to the then San Luis Obispo Art Center’s growing Permanent Collection in 2000…
Woman at Table
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Moon Song #2
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Untitled
Phil Paradise was known for his ability to sketch from memory of his travels and produced a book of hundreds of India ink sketches…
Refuge
Margaret Jorgensen was one of the original founders of the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art…
Untitled (Study of Female Nude)
Emil Kosa, Jr. was born in Paris, France. The artist moved to the United States with…
Playing Otters
Georgian (former USSR) born sculptor George Papashvily (1898-1978) succeeded…
Untitled
James Proctor was born in Philadelphia in 1919. An important early Modernist, Mr. Proctor…
Vista del Mar, c. 1960s
Phil Dike was born and raised in Southern California. In 1923, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Chouinard…
Untitled
Ed Winter lived in the San Luis Obispo area and worked as an independent artist and…
Study for Self–Portrait
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Cruciform
Rena Doud was born in Massachusetts and started her painting career at Orange Coast College…
Feminist Fan: Frida Kahlo
Ruth Fash used circular shapes in her artwork a great deal. An explicit feminism also permeates the series…
Untitled, #199 B Ed 25
Phil Dike was born and raised in Southern California. In 1923, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Chouinard…
Standing Female Nude
Nat D. Fast was nationally known for his watercolors that feature the look of fast brushstrokes…
Horse Conjuring A Man, 1960
Donated by Robert Reynolds in 2013.
My Old House
Don Klopfer (1920-2009) was born in Washington, D.C. and died in Arroyo Grande, California…
Myron Graham
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Howard Louis
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Woman
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Untitled
August Madrigal lives near Reedley, painting the San Joaquin Valley landscape from his studio…
Water Lilies + Marsh Marigolds
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
The Pallid Seas of Gahnia Aspera
New York-born Roxanne Sexauer taught printmaking at California State University, Long Beach…
Point and Counterpoint with Mountain Bluebird and Crested Gloucester Fancy
Mr. Golightly draws his inspiration from Salvador Dalí and magic…
The Senses of Taste, Sight, Smell, Touch
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Abstract Buffalo
Artist’s proof. Shown for 2 years at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Donated by…
Carrizo Plains
Tony Hertz lives in Grover Beach and was a photographer for…
White Artichoke
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska…
Cormorants
Jo Werts studied art at the Chicago Art Institute and the University of Chicago…
Paysage, Biot
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska…
Rocking Chair, Aptos Hotel
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska…
May Day
Donated to Permanent Collection by Barbara Renshaw in 2013.
Prison Tower
Mark Beck was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mr. Beck studied at…
Lucksinger Motors
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska…
Grain Silos
A native Californian, he grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and…
Farm Behind the Town (Salinas)
A native Californian, he grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and…
Castroville, Church with Windmill
A native Californian, he grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and…
The Panamint Range (Death Valley)
A native Californian, he grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and…
Untitled #242 Golden Coastline
Phil Dike was born in Redlands, California, and was exposed to art…
Carrizo Plains
John Barnard was born and raised in Long Beach, California…
Iron Mountain
John Barnard was born and raised in Long Beach, California…
Mountains, Sea and Horses
Barbara Frith ( -2007) was brought up on a ranch in northern…
Horsemen and Bull
Barbara Frith ( -2007) was brought up on a ranch in northern…
Horses in Motion
Barbara Frith ( -2007) was brought up on a ranch in northern…
Untitled “265” Plant Stand with Eggs and Cantaloupe
A child of Norwegian immigrants…
Beethoven
Dan Piel was a former member of Cal Poly’s Art and Design…
Sketchbook
Ruth Roden was born in New York City and lived in California for…
Figure Study on Pillow
Ruth Roden was born in New York City and lived in California for…
Frontal Nude
Ruth Roden was born in New York City and lived in California…
Debussy
Dan Piel was a former member of Cal Poly’s Art and Design faculty…
Yellow Farm House (Froom Ranch)
Elaine Badgley Arnoux was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Southern California…
Amusement Park
Henry Fukuhara (1913-2011) was a Nisei watercolorist who painted…
Rock Reflections
Mary Rowley Cole’s ( -2004) early years were spent on the southwest shores of Lake Superior…
Old Man
Mr. Barnard studied at Chouinard Art Institute (1942) in Los Angeles…
Natural Instincts
Channing Peake (1910-1989) was a Santa Barbara area artist who…
Ceres
Born in Pasadena in 1934, Terry Delapp studied at Chouinard Art Academy…
Over the Pacific
Mr. Beck studied at the Portland School of Art in Maine…
Growth, c. 1960s
Dorothy Bowman (1927- ) was born in Hollywood, California…
Man’s Face
Mr. Barnard studied at Chouinard Art Institute (1942) in Los Angeles…
Warrior Suit of Armor
This etching was donated to the Permanent Collection by the artist in 2014 following…
Los Osos Barns
Bryan Mark Taylor received his Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young…
San Fiore, 1988
David Settino Scott became interested in art while touring the museums of Europe…
Seated Model V
David Settino Scott became interested in art while touring the museums of Europe…
#217, Cambria, CA (The Clown), 1962
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
#211 (The Juggler), 1962
A child of Norwegian immigrants, Arne Nybak was born in Duluth, Minnesota…
Reina de la Noche, 1995
Hernán Castellano Girón was born in Chile. He left during the…
Gathering Hay, 2009
Dotty Hawthorne received her BA from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois…
Untitled (Sitting Nude)
George Gibson (1904-2001) was one of the great scene painters of his time…
Fool’s Last Dance, 2011
Rachael Winn Yon is a master printmaker who works from her studio in Los Osos, California…
AD 1998
Don Klopfer (1920-2009) was born in Washington, D.C….
Icon, 2004
This painting by Guy Kinnear was included in a curated exhibition in…
Jazz Al Fresco, 1990
Pat Cairns works out of her Atascadero, California studio…
Coastline (Cambria), c. 1980s
Mary Rowley Cole’s ( -2004) early years were spent on the southwest shores of Lake Superior…
Pablito and Felicia
Phil Paradise was born in Oregon, and raised in Bakersfield, California…
Carl, 1939
Phil Paradise was born in Oregon, and raised in Bakersfield, California…
Sparkling Ranch, c. 1985
One of the great scenic painters of his time, George Gibson headed…
Cat House Book 2014
Paul LaRiviere is a printmaker who has extensive experience working with…
Flow 2004
Henry Wessels created and cast editions of sculpture in bronze…
Red Cow, c.2000
Nancy Kolliner is a studio artist who lives in Los Osos…
Lively Imaginations Attract Spectators, edition 1/10, c. 2006
Gail Jacobson ( -2015) was born and raised in Oklahoma and earned her BA and…
Memories of Dresden, edition 6/25 c.2001
Nikolaus Kopp is a printmaker who lives in Cambria. He was born in…
Atoms and Bits, edition 6/25, c.2003
Leslie Sutcliffe was a printmaking instructor at Cuesta College for…
The White House
Robert Burridge is a noted international award-winning industrial designer who…
Whale-8 2013
Robert Chapman currently lives in the rural area of the California Central Coast…
Thicket, 1975
Donated by Martha J. Steward.
Do Your Research
Phillip Hua lives and works in San Francisco. His work addresses…
Euphorbia
Phillip Hua lives and works in San Francisco. His work addresses…
Pelargoniums
Beth Van Hoesen (1926-2010) was a San Francisco artist born in Boise, Idaho in 1926.
Remembering Things Never Seen #2, 2016
“Part of my work in the studio…”
The Red Line: Laguna Lake, 2015
Mr. Gazit gives special emphasis to the ongoing water shortages…
Camels
Anne Jenkins was an artist and leader of the Docent Council at the San Luis Obispo Arts Council for several years…
The Swallows, c. 2010
Shirley Pittman was mostly known for her watercolors which she painted en plein aire…
Still Life, c. 1960
Nico Vandenheuvel is a Dutch-born artist. As a young man, he studied advertising…
Broken Wing, 1996
Robert Chapman had a one-man exhibition at SLOMA in 2010 entitled Perfect Stranger.
Little Fugitives, 1930s
Mildred Bryant was born in Missouri and grew up in Long Beach, California…
Savagery, 2016
Nick Allen is currently living in San Rafael, California but calls San Luis Obispo his hometown…
Morro, 2017
Alexander Depue was a young Graphic Arts major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo when…
Untitled Covered Vessel, 2008
Ralph Bacerra (1938-2008) was a Los Angeles based artist known for his…
Collection of Photographs, 1986–2011
Norman Riley was born in Munich, Germany in 1954. He currently lives in…
Coin of Alexander, c. 1999
Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli (1922 – 2015) was a Renaissance man who was born in…
Desert Sun, 2018
Mr. Barnard studied at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, served in World War II…
Peregrine Falcons, 1985
Donated by Cindy and Griffin in 2018.
Golden Moment at Morro
Gladys Gray, grew up in Truckee, California, where she was a pupil of Rex Brandt…
Presence of the Past
The artwork of Cambria artist Gail Lapins is the language of the figure…
When in the Course of Human Events, 2004
Donated by Martha Anne Claus and Joseph Michael Visci.
Arne Nybak, c. 1980
Robert Reynolds is a landscape artist who concentrates on the pristine nature…