California Fine Arts Collection

The selection of these works, by 19th and 20th century California artists, was begun in 1987 and completed in 1995. The collection was made possible through funds raised by the Kern County Library Foundation. These funds were the result of generous donations by private citizens and businesses. No public funds or tax money was sought or utilized to purchase the art.

The gathering together of these pieces took eight years of diligent research and careful consideration by the members of the Art Acquisition Committee. Their goal has been to build a collection that is a source of pride and pleasure to all the residents of Kern County and those who come to visit from other areas.

Within the collection are works by Elmer Bischoff, Maurice Braun, Beniamino Bufano, Deborah Butterfield, William Henry Clapp, Theodore Morrow Criley, Richard Diebenkorn, Laddie John Dill, Bernard Von Eichman, Peter Ellenshaw, August Francois Pierre Gay, Selden Connor Gile, Henry Percy Gray, Robert Hinckley, Beth Van Hoesen, Tom Holland, Maurice George Logan, Edgar Alwin Payne, Roland Petersen, Gary Price, Joseph Raffael, Joseph Morris Raphael, Mark Rossi, Louis Bassi Siegriest, Wayne Thiebaud, Carleton E. Watkins, and William Wendt.