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Pleasanton’s Museum on Main will once again be partnering with the Pleasanton Art League to host its 16th annual showcase where artists of all mediums in the Tri-Valley can display their work at the museum in downtown Pleasanton.
Starting next week, visitors will be able to view the “Imagination Expressed 2025” exhibit, which will feature an array of submitted works from PAL members, including paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, jewelry and much more.
“This year’s version of Imagination Expressed promises to dazzle the eyes, engage the minds and nourish the spirits of the Museum’s visitors,” Museum on Main curator Ken MacLennan stated in a press release.
MacLennan told the Weekly the exhibit will be a great chance for any artist — emerging artists and veteran ones alike — to not only possibly sell some work, but to also promote themselves to a wider audience.
“This is an opportunity for the artist to show what they’ve been working on,” MacLennan said. “It’s always very exciting to see the latest talent turning up in our show every year.”
He noted that only members of the PAL can submit work for the exhibition.
Founded in 1969, PAL is a collective of local artists seeking to support and enrich the Tri-Valley art scene. Its members host exhibitions, meetings and other events throughout the year.Â
Christine Bourg, Imagination Expressed show co-chair, said she has been helping with the exhibit for the past five years and that it has gained so much popularity over the past few years — so much so that last year they were overcrowded with submissions.
“Last year it was so popular that we were kind of crowded and had to put pieces in the hallway,” Bourg said.
But Bourg said unlike previous years, this year all of the art submissions will be judged by a single person and that while there will be small prizes, all of the submissions will be featured in the exhibit — with some limitations.
Bourg said after last year’s volume of entries, they will be limiting the amount of submissions so that people can walk around easier and appreciate the art. MacLennan added the pieces will be vetted for anything that isn’t appropriate for the museum.
Bourg said that while the exhibit did begin as mostly a way for emerging artists to put themselves out there, she is glad to see the event become more of a place where “not only new artists, but mature artists have entered their work.”
“It’s lovely because it’s such a variety (of art),” she said.
Apart from it being a great way for artists to learn about the museum, Bourg said the annual exhibit also provides a snapshot of the types of artists who live throughout the different cities in the Tri-Valley.
“It’s kind of a reflection of our community,” she said.
“Imagination Expressed 2025” opens next Thursday (Jan. 23), and the museum will host a welcoming reception next Saturday (Jan. 25) from noon to 2 p.m. with beverages and food brought in from the artists.
The exhibit will run during the museum’s normal operating hours until March 15.
