RAM Exhibit Offers New Insight and Images of the Museum’s Historic Home

The Riverside Art Museum's (RAM) current exhibit, 3425 Mission Inn Avenue: Foundation, Transition, Innovation, offers a refreshed exploration of the building's historical significance and architectural heritage. This exhibition builds upon the foundation set in 2012 with Julia Morgan: Foundation and Transition., which celebrated the work of Julia Morgan, the pioneering architect behind the building's design. Zeke Valdez, lead of guest services at RAM, talked about the omission of Julia Morgan's name from the title of the updated exhibit. "We wanted people to know that it was more about THIS building than just her."

In 2012, during a statewide celebration of Morgan's architectural achievements, RAM introduced an exhibition providing valuable insight into Morgan's distinctive style and her design of the 1929 Riverside YWCA building, now home to the museum. Julia Morgan broke significant barriers in architecture. She was California's first licensed female architect and became the first woman to receive the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal. Her use of reinforced concrete and her blend of Classical and Mediterranean Revival styles are hallmarks of her work, most famously seen in Hearst Castle. She also became well-known for the YWCA buildings she designed across California. These YWCA buildings were crucial in supporting the Women's Movement by providing women with spaces for education, empowerment, and community.

The current exhibit builds and expands on the 2012 project. I was given a tour by Sophia Esparza, RAM's executive assistant, and Zeke Valdez, lead of guest services, who were both part of the team that took on the task of finding additional resources that added resolution and perspective to the story of the building. They worked representing the museum in searching the archives. Esparza said the assembled team included historians and archivists from many local historical institutions. The team's research has allowed the current exhibition to offer fresh perspectives, blending historical architecture with cultural context and modern interpretations. 

In addition to newly commissioned photography by Sofia Valiente, which captures the intricate details of Morgan's design, the exhibit now includes more comprehensive stories about the community's involvement in the building's creation and preservation. This expanded history enriches visitors' understanding of the structure's cultural and architectural importance while highlighting the effort to preserve and renovate the historic building. 

3425 Mission Inn Ave. will be on display through October 6th. Visit the RAM website for tickets and details on other exhibits.