The Santa Paula Art Museum, Jeanette Cole Art Center was established as a not-for-profit organization with a mission to preserve and share Santa Paula's artistic heritage including the famous Santa Paula Art Collection; and to educate and engage the community through collection, exhibition, interpretation, programming and outreach.
The Museum is located in the historic Limoneira Building at 117 North Tenth Street in downtown Santa Paula. It is next to the established City of Santa Paula's California Oil Museum, located in the original Victorian headquarters of the Union Oil Company of California which was founded here in 1890. The new museum site faces scenic highway 150 and is one block from the intersection with Main Street.
The proximity of the two museums in the historic downtown district, establishes both a cultural destination and the keystone for the City's ongoing revitalization program. Additionally, the location is within walking distance of the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, the restored vintage train depot, and the Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum located at the old mill.
Through a lease agreement with the Limoneira Company, the bottom floor of their historic landmark has been renovated and reopened as the Santa Paula Art Museum. The classic two-story structure was designed by the famed local architect Roy Wilson, Sr. and built to accommodate the offices of the Limoneira Company in the early 1920s. The architectural details of the exterior of the building hint at the interior's handsome paneling, soaring windows and spectacular atrium.
In 2012, the Santa Paula Art Museum was honored to receive a generous donation from Lecil "Lee" Cole and Family to honor his late wife, Jeanette, who was a beloved docent and great supporter of the Museum. This gift is earmarked for the design and construction of Phase II of the Museum's expansion which will include a new educational art center for student classes, as well as a plaza between the Santa Paula Art Museum and California Oil Museum with a small performing arts stage.
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Museum is aided in fulfilling its mission by a generous and dedicated staff of docents and is always happy to welcome new volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering with the Museum please contact us by calling (805) 525-5554 or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org
Board of Directors:
DAVID LUNA, PRESIDENT - Director of Special Projects,
Santa Paula Elementary School District - Retired
DAVID SCHWABAUER, VICE PRESIDENT - Citrus and Avocado Rancher
VIRGINIA RICHARDSON GUNDERSON, SECRETARY - Mother, Bookkeeper, Artist
MICHAEL HAUSE, TREASURER - Director of Special Projects, Calavo
RANDY AXELL - Citrus and Avocado Rancher
YVONNE BABCOCK - Interior Designer
GUY COLE - Avocado Rancher, Santa Clara Valley Bank Board Chairman
VIVIAN MULLETT - Educator - Retired
DOUGLAS NELSON - Architect
JOHN NICHOLS - Art Dealer
WILLIAM L. ORCUTT, PAST PRESIDENT - Citrus and Avocado Rancher
MICHAEL SHORE - Citrus Rancher
CHRIS WILSON - Craftsman, Contractor, and Artist
STAFF:
JENNIFER HEIGHTON, Executive Director
JULIE CLUSTER, Assistant Executive Director
MEG PHELPS, Museum Educator
