Fresh History: Paintings for Centennial Art Exhibit Were Created Recently

Paintings and other artworks celebrating La Mesa’s centennial as a city are on display at historic Porter Hall at the northwest corner of University Avenue and La Mesa Boulevard. But the works didn’t exist until recently.

They were created on demand—by La Mesa officials.

Diane Ludwig, treasurer of the host Foothills Art Association, gave a tour of “La Mesa—100 Years” Friday afternoon—only hours after the pieces were hanged in the light-filled gallery.

She said the city several months ago asked the art association if it would take part, and since several of its members specialize in depicting historic La Mesa houses, they jumped at the request.

Ludwig lives in El Cajon, but she said 40 percent of the association’s 142 members are La Mesans. So it was no surprise that 15 artists supplied more than two dozen pieces for the initial exhibit. Other works with a centennial theme are still in the pipeline, she said.

The centennial artists are Dixie Sampier, Betsy Brown, Sandie Seckington, Bob Franc, Betty Flores, Sharon K. Thomas, M.J. Staniel (a pseudonym), Marian Zeldin, Toby Seriba, Teresa Shaffer, Hazel Ross, Midge Hyde, Carlos Meneses, Carol McClure and Betty Johnsen.

The exhibit—displayed alongside dozens of other works at Porter Hall—continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until Jan. 31 at 4910 Memorial Drive, nearly across from the La Mesa Community Center.

The Foothills Art Association was founded in 1949 when Cora B. Payson of the La Mesa Women’s Club called for an art guild.  Between 1957 and 2007, exhibits appeared in various places. The group relocated to Porter Hall in September 2007.

But according to a history of the association: “Our beautifully remodeled gallery was only enjoyed until Dec. 23, 2007, when two cars plowed into the building, causing structural damage [no artwork was damaged].”

The gallery reopened May 1, 2008, and Ludwig says it gets a steady flow of visitors from the Adult Enrichment Center across University Avenue.