May is National Preservation Month, a nationwide celebration recognizing the importance of preserving our nation’s heritage through historic places.
Mother’s Day will be on Sunday, May 11, 2025. We celebrate all the ladies who have shaped our families and communities’ history.
From the Archives
Norton Simon Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary. “Tête-à-tête: Three Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay” was on exhibit in 2015.
🖼️James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (also known as Portrait of the Artist’s Mother), 1871 Oil on canvas.
Artist of the Month
“Creativity takes courage.”
– Henri Matisse
Rick Delanty, on view January 24 through June 30, 2025
The Studio, unveiled at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in January 2025, is a new space within the property that allows artists to work onsite, converse with the public, and sell their work during an Artist-in-Residency.
Rick J. Delanty’s landscapes are known for their expressiveness, positive color palette, and energy. Visitors will see landscapes of the artist’s beloved San Clemente, where he has lived, worked and painted for the past fifty years. The flag he designed for the city flies today over its civic buildings, and his logos for the high school and Ocean Festival are still significant elements of those organizations. He is a Signature member of six national arts societies, represented by four galleries. Rick is the honored recipient of national and international awards. Artist/author Christopher Volpe commends Delanty as “one of the most recognized and accomplished oil/acrylic painters working in Southern California.”
During the next six months, Delanty welcomes visitors to go go his work at the just-unveiled Studio, located in the main salon and to chat with him whenever they see him painting on the Casa grounds. All paintings on view in The Studio are available for purchase and can be taken home the same day.
The Studio is underwritten by Mark and Bonnie Larsen.
Book of the Month
Events
The Newport Beach International Boat Show will be held from May 1 to 4, 2025
Brought to you by Revel Republic, the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS) is back this May at Lido Marina Village! Incorporating live entertainment and beautiful yachts from top builders and brokerages, the event offers attendees a one-of-a-kind experience that captures the essence of the Newport Beach lifestyle.
Bert Minshall, former yacht captain, Jennifer Keil, California Historian, and Dr. David Freeman, the Finest Hour editor, celebrate John Wayne and Winston Churchill’s connection on board the Wild Goose.
The 2025 Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival is themed “Stories of the Sea: Wooden Boats in Film & Fiction.” It will be held on June 13-14, 2025 at the Balboa Yacht Club. This theme honoring the role that boats have played in iconic movies and books. Among the many things to see and do, visitors will have the opportunity to explore John Steinbeck’s Western Flyer, dive into the rowing traditions of The Boys in the Boat, and view a photo exhibit of Hollywood stars with the wooden boats they loved. John Wayne’s Wild Goose cruises will be available on Saturday. Tickets to the Friday Night Event are $175. Admission to the Saturday Festival is $15.
California Preservation Month 2025 Events
May 1-31: Petaluma Historical Library and Museum has a series of Preservation Month events taking place throughout May.
May 1-31: Pasadena Heritage will be celebrating Preservation Month and AAPI Heritage month with events throughout the month.
May 6: Preservation Advocacy Day – Meet with your legislators in Sacramento to advocate for critical protections and financial incentives that safeguard our state’s historic and cultural resources.
May 11: Coronado Historical Association is hosting their Annual Mother’s Day Historic Home Tour.
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of UC Irvine (1965-2025), Anteater Experience traces more than six decades of campus development, illustrating key features and milestones that have helped shape the campus culture and environment. Laura Davick shared her family’s history with guests at the reception. The exhibit is on display from February and will go through September 2025 at the Langson Library.