Exhibition: May 21 – October 5, 2016
Opening Reception: May 20, 2016, 6 p.m. $75
The Riverside Art Museum is proud to present SUPERSONIC PALETTE: The Art of Flight by Mike Machat. This exhibit will feature a diverse collection of art loaned by the artist and private collectors in multiple media, as well as the world premiere of new artwork from the artist. This unique collection will offer visitors the opportunity to view a variety of media all focused on one common theme: the art of taking to the sky in flight, exquisitely rendered by Mike Machat.
Machat is a master of capturing the image of all types of aircraft and his knowledge of the industry is rivalled by few. His career as an artist has included commercial concept art for airplane manufacturers, the recording of historic moments in aviation history, commissions from record-breaking pilots, and more. He extensively researches details by building models and creating multiple scale drawings to ensure that all of the aircraft are faithfully reproduced. He interviews pilots and flies the route in question during the same season and in similar weather conditions to view foliage and ground cover conditions. Several works in the exhibit will be accompanied by a selection of these research materials for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s process. Machat’s work is prized by collectors and is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Soaring Museum, the U.S. Air Force and NASA Documentary Art Programs, and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. His awards are numerous, but the most recent honor was becoming the first artist to win the Combs Gates Award for Aviation History presented to Machat by the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Additionally, the exhibit will offer exciting opportunities for families, educators, school groups, and special interest groups. RAM will present supplementary activities and material highlighting the history, science, technology, and of course, artistic value of this exhibit. The exhibit will closely correspond with the release of Machat’s upcoming book which discusses aviation history in the United States. Programs will include family art programs, lectures, art workshops, and field trip days with guided exhibit tours.
Opening Reception
Please join us and the artist on Friday, May 20, 2016, starting at 6:00 p.m. for the special opening reception of this high-flying exhibition.
BONUS: Get your palate ready for some hand-crafted distillery joy! Stark Spirits will be offering tastings during the special opening reception. And Hangar 24 will be supplying the beer!
Additional Programming
April 11: Machat will be painting at Flabob Airport, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
April 12: Machat will be painting at March Field Air Museum, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
April 13: Machat will be painting at March Air Reserve Base Club, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
June 2: Join us during Artswalk, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., free, to ask artist Mike Machat to draw any aircraft that you can think of. Can you “Stump the Artist” who has made a career drawing planes?
June 9: Join Mike Machat for “Painting Aviation’s Legends”, a lecture and book signing. Starts with a no-host Happy Hour at 6 p.m., with the talk beginning at 6:30 p.m. Free with admission or membership.
July 21: The Mission Inn will be hosting Mike Machat for “Aviation Legacy in Riverside”. 6:30 p.m.
August 4: Join us between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. during Artswalk to show off your mad paper airplane-skills during our “Make It, Fly It, Improve It, Repeat!” paper airplane contest.
August 8 – August 12: Have a child/teen interested in art and aviation? We have a weeklong class called Aviation and Adventure that they are sure to love! Includes a field trip to Flabob Airport, guest speakers, and a meet-and-greet with artist Mike Machat.
September 29: Join Mike Machat, Lisa Tucker, and Miguel Tarango for “Technology and Art: An Inside Look”, No-host Happy Hour, 6 p.m., Talk, 6:30 p.m., free with admission or membership.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Bob Harris & Susan Rothermund
Dutton Motor Company
City of Riverside
Hub International
KH Metals & Supply
Jim Myer
Walter & Betty Parks
Steve & Cathy Morford
Gary & Kathy Christmas
Sam Lemon & Judy Davies
Citizens Business Bank