The latest editions of artist alumni works as a part of '50+50: A Creative Century from Chouinard to CalArts' were on view during the CalArts Gala 2022 at REDCAT in May. | Photo: Jason Weiss

CalArts Releases a Dozen New Artworks as Part of 50+50: A Creative Century from Chouinard to CalArts

July 22, 2022
By Henderson Blumer and Greg Houle

Twelve new limited series and editions by alumnx from both CalArts and Chouinard Art Institute—the predecessor of CalArts and one of the leading art institutions on the West Coast—were released in May as part of 50+50: A Creative Century from Chouinard to CalArts. Ranging across a variety of medias and themes, the works by Larry Bell (Chouinard 59), Barbara Bloom (BFA 72), Andrea Bowers (MFA 92), Lauren Halsey (BFA 12), Rita McBride (MFA 87), Catherine Opie (Art MFA 88), Allen Ruppersberg (Chouinard 67), David Salle (BFA 73, MFA 75), Pieter Schoolwerth (MFA 93), Henry Taylor (BFA 95), James Welling (BFA 72, MFA 74), and B. Wurtz (MFA 80) reflect the rich and diverse artistic practices of alumnx from both institutions. 

Artwork by James Welling (CalArts ’72 and ’74)Artwork in form of a cube by Allen Ruppersberg (Chouinard '67)Light mounted Artwork by Andrea Bowers (CalArts '92)Artwork by Pieter Schoolwerth (CalArts ’94)Artwork by Larry Bell (Chouinard ’59)Artwork by David Salle (CalArts '73)Artwork in form of eye chart by Barbara Bloom (CalArts ’72)Photography of a tree in a neighborhood by Catherine Opie (CalArts ’88)Artwork by Rita McBride (CalArts ’87)Artwork of a yellow painting with a silhouette of a spoon with a wooden spoon hanging from the painting by B. Wurtz (CalArts ’80)photography of historical African American civil rights leaders with circle stickers over their faces - artwork by Henry Taylor (CalArts ’97)Collage artwork by Lauren Halsey (CalArts ’12)

Exhibited for a single night as part of the 2022 CalArts Gala at REDCAT on May 14, several of the works specifically reference the artists’ CalArts experience. Other works push the boundaries of what it means to be an edition. 50+50: A Creative Century from Chouinard to CalArts is an artist-led scholarship endowment initiative that marks the 50th anniversary of CalArts, which is being celebrated this coming academic year, and the centennial of Chouinard. Sales of 50+50 artworks generate crucial funding for the School of Art Alumni Scholarship endowment, which provides essential financial support for students. Increased scholarship funding is a critical priority for CalArts and a key pillar in its strategic framework.

CalArts has commissioned these works from a range of prominent alumnx-artists, spanning nearly seven decades and representing a broad range of approaches to artmaking. The 22 series and editions created for this initiative to date—the first 10 of which were presented in an exhibition at REDCAT in February 2020—reveal the material experimentation for which artists from both Chouinard and CalArts are known. Their sales will afford more students the opportunity to experiment and make their own mark through a CalArts education.

To learn more about this initiative and the editions that are currently available to purchase, visit 50plus50.calarts.edu.

Limited series and editions are also available from the following alumnx: John Baldessari (Chouinard 59), Anne Collier (BFA 93), Laddie John Dill (Chouinard 68), Joe Goode (Chouinard 61), Naotaka Hiro (MFA 00), Tony Oursler (BFA 79), Gala Porras-Kim (MFA 09), Stephen Prina (MFA 80), Barbara T. Smith (Chouinard 65), and Carrie Mae Weems (BFA 81).

Leadership support for 50+50 is provided by CROZIER.