San Diego staged the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and to call attention to the fact that San Diego would be the first American port of call north of the Panama Canal on the Pacific coast. In 1910 San Diego had a population of 39,578, San Diego County 61,665, Los Angeles 319,198, and San Francisco 416,912. San Diego's scant population made it the smallest city ever to attempt holding an international exposition. However, the Exposition was a huge success and was extended for a second year.[1]
The building now known as the House of Charm was originally named the Mining Building, intended to showcase the mineral wealth and abundance of the region of San Diego.[2] Another temporary name was the "Arts and Crafts Building," but by the time the fair opened in 1915 the building was called the "Indian Arts Building." When the fair was extended to 1916, the exhibits changed and the building was once again renamed, this time to the "Russia and Brazil Building." From 1917 to 1922 it was known as the "Science of Man Building" and housed specimens, casts, statues, and photographs illustrating the development of the human species. It was later used for refreshment stands and flower shows.[2]
Bertram Goodhue, master architect of the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition, had urged that the temporary buildings on Balboa Park's main avenue, El Prado, be torn down. However, San Diego's citizens scorned this advice. With the assistance of money from the federal government, they patched up the plaster palaces in 1922 and 1933. This meant that the most of the original buildings were available for re-use in the second exposition in 1935.
California Pacific International Exposition: 1935–1936Edit
The California-Pacific International Exposition used many of the Mission Revival Style buildings remaining from the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition, including the Science of Man Building. During the 1935–36 exhibition the building was renamed the House of Charm, by which name it is still known today. During 1935, it housed commercial concessions devoted to women's clothing, jewelry, hosiery, shoes, cosmetics and perfumes, as well as a drug store and refreshment stand. In 1936, the name was changed again to Palace of International Arts, featuring gems and artifacts from all over the world, some for sale and some for exhibit.[2]
Later useEdit
Although there were ongoing doubts about the soundness of the building, which was not intended to be a permanent structure, it continued to be used during the 1940s and 1950s. Tenants included the Model Railroad Museum, the San Diego Hall of Champions, and the San Diego Men's Art Club (forerunner of the San Diego Art Institute). In 1978, the building was condemned as unsafe and was temporarily evacuated, but the San Diego Art Institute moved back in after sprinklers were installed. During the 1980s various tenants competed for use of the building, but none could afford the necessary renovations. Finally in 1989, the city of San Diego decided to tear down and rebuild the House of Charm, along with the House of Hospitality which was in similar disrepair. The recreated House of Charm building was reopened on September 21, 1996, with external features carefully duplicating the original highly ornamented exterior. The building now houses the San Diego Art Institute, the Mingei International Museum, and rehearsal space for the Old Globe Theatre.[3]
The San Diego Art Institute's (SDAI) Museum of the Living Artist (MoLA) has a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) gallery in the House of Charm, featuring works by San Diego artists. A new exhibit opens every four to six weeks. Solo artist exhibitions are also featured. With more than 30 shows a year, SDAI aims to be a supportive center for local emerging artists. The Institute also offers many outreach and educational programs. The David Fleet Young Artists' Gallery showcases art done by students at regional elementary, middle and high schools, while the Outreach through Exhibition Series calls upon artists to address community issues in their art.
Mingei International MuseumEdit
Mingei International Museum reveals the beauty of use in folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. The word mingei, meaning 'art of the people,' was coined by the Japanese scholar Sōetsu Yanagi by combining the Japanese words for all people (min) and art (gei). Yanagi's teachings awakened people to the essential need to make and use objects that are unfragmented expressions of head, heart and hands. Established in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, conserves and exhibits these arts of daily use – by anonymous craftsmen of ancient times, from traditional cultures of past and present and by historical and contemporary designers.
Notes and referencesEdit
^Amero, Richard. "Panama-California Exposition Chapter One: The Making of the Exposition, 1909-1915". San Diego History Center. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ abcAmero, Richard. "History of the Indian Arts / House of Charm Building". San Diego History Center. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^"Restoring charm: Balboa Park face lift". San Diego Union-Tribune. October 2, 1994. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to House of Charm.
house, charm, historic, museum, building, balboa, park, diego, built, 1915, panama, california, exposition, like, most, buildings, from, that, exposition, features, mission, revival, style, architecture, acquired, current, name, during, park, second, expositio. The House of Charm is a historic museum building in Balboa Park San Diego It was built for the 1915 16 Panama California Exposition and like most buildings from that Exposition it features Mission Revival Style architecture It acquired its current name House of Charm during the park s second Exposition held in from 1935 to 36 It now houses the San Diego Art Institute and the Mingei International Museum as well as rehearsal space for the Old Globe Theatre It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places House of CharmSide of the House of CharmLocation within San DiegoLocationBalboa Park San Diego CaliforniaCoordinates32 43 52 N 117 9 4 W 32 73111 N 117 15111 W 32 73111 117 15111 Contents 1 Panama California Exposition 1915 1916 2 California Pacific International Exposition 1935 1936 3 Later use 4 Museum of the Living Artist MoLA 5 Mingei International Museum 6 Notes and references 7 External linksPanama California Exposition 1915 1916 EditSan Diego staged the Panama California Exposition in 1915 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and to call attention to the fact that San Diego would be the first American port of call north of the Panama Canal on the Pacific coast In 1910 San Diego had a population of 39 578 San Diego County 61 665 Los Angeles 319 198 and San Francisco 416 912 San Diego s scant population made it the smallest city ever to attempt holding an international exposition However the Exposition was a huge success and was extended for a second year 1 The building now known as the House of Charm was originally named the Mining Building intended to showcase the mineral wealth and abundance of the region of San Diego 2 Another temporary name was the Arts and Crafts Building but by the time the fair opened in 1915 the building was called the Indian Arts Building When the fair was extended to 1916 the exhibits changed and the building was once again renamed this time to the Russia and Brazil Building From 1917 to 1922 it was known as the Science of Man Building and housed specimens casts statues and photographs illustrating the development of the human species It was later used for refreshment stands and flower shows 2 Bertram Goodhue master architect of the 1915 16 Panama California Exposition had urged that the temporary buildings on Balboa Park s main avenue El Prado be torn down However San Diego s citizens scorned this advice With the assistance of money from the federal government they patched up the plaster palaces in 1922 and 1933 This meant that the most of the original buildings were available for re use in the second exposition in 1935 California Pacific International Exposition 1935 1936 EditThe California Pacific International Exposition used many of the Mission Revival Style buildings remaining from the 1915 16 Panama California Exposition including the Science of Man Building During the 1935 36 exhibition the building was renamed the House of Charm by which name it is still known today During 1935 it housed commercial concessions devoted to women s clothing jewelry hosiery shoes cosmetics and perfumes as well as a drug store and refreshment stand In 1936 the name was changed again to Palace of International Arts featuring gems and artifacts from all over the world some for sale and some for exhibit 2 Later use EditAlthough there were ongoing doubts about the soundness of the building which was not intended to be a permanent structure it continued to be used during the 1940s and 1950s Tenants included the Model Railroad Museum the San Diego Hall of Champions and the San Diego Men s Art Club forerunner of the San Diego Art Institute In 1978 the building was condemned as unsafe and was temporarily evacuated but the San Diego Art Institute moved back in after sprinklers were installed During the 1980s various tenants competed for use of the building but none could afford the necessary renovations Finally in 1989 the city of San Diego decided to tear down and rebuild the House of Charm along with the House of Hospitality which was in similar disrepair The recreated House of Charm building was reopened on September 21 1996 with external features carefully duplicating the original highly ornamented exterior The building now houses the San Diego Art Institute the Mingei International Museum and rehearsal space for the Old Globe Theatre 3 Museum of the Living Artist MoLA EditMain article San Diego Art Institute The San Diego Art Institute s SDAI Museum of the Living Artist MoLA has a 10 000 square foot 930 m2 gallery in the House of Charm featuring works by San Diego artists A new exhibit opens every four to six weeks Solo artist exhibitions are also featured With more than 30 shows a year SDAI aims to be a supportive center for local emerging artists The Institute also offers many outreach and educational programs The David Fleet Young Artists Gallery showcases art done by students at regional elementary middle and high schools while the Outreach through Exhibition Series calls upon artists to address community issues in their art Mingei International Museum EditMingei International Museum reveals the beauty of use in folk art craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world The word mingei meaning art of the people was coined by the Japanese scholar Sōetsu Yanagi by combining the Japanese words for all people min and art gei Yanagi s teachings awakened people to the essential need to make and use objects that are unfragmented expressions of head heart and hands Established in 1978 Mingei International Museum collects conserves and exhibits these arts of daily use by anonymous craftsmen of ancient times from traditional cultures of past and present and by historical and contemporary designers Notes and references Edit Amero Richard Panama California Exposition Chapter One The Making of the Exposition 1909 1915 San Diego History Center Retrieved November 16 2022 a b c Amero Richard History of the Indian Arts House of Charm Building San Diego History Center Retrieved November 16 2022 Restoring charm Balboa Park face lift San Diego Union Tribune October 2 1994 Retrieved September 2 2011 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to House of Charm California portalThe San Diego Art Institute The San Diego Art Department Combined Organizations for the Visual Arts Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title House of Charm amp oldid 1169094053, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
