Jack London was a man of many parts: cannery worker, oyster pirate, sailor, self-educated author of 50 books, war correspondent, Socialist, and forward-thinking rancher.
A lesser-known aspect of his immense activity was photography. Over the course of his life, London took about 12,000 photos, both during his journalistic exploits and his travels with wife Charmian. His photos form a fascinating record of a world unknown to most Americans, and display an unerring sense of drama, sharp composition, and sympathetic respect for his subjects.
Independent Docent: Avril Angevine
First Wednesday Art Talks are provided by the Friends of the San Rafael Library
The Legion of Honor Turns 100 – Origins, Architecture, and Inaugural Art
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Legion of Honor, home to one of the world’s outstanding collections of Rodin sculpture and European art. The Legion of Honor owes its existence to the vision of enterprising San Franciscan Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, who set out to build a museum to showcase French art and dedicated to the California men who died in France during World War I. This talk tells the fascinating story of how the museum was modeled after the Legion of Honor in Paris and would come to be built on a hill with a breathtaking view of the San Francisco Bay. Featuring a treasure trove of historic images, the talk highlights some of the building’s beautiful original architectural features as well as renovations undertaken over the past 100 years. The Legion of Honor’s moving inaugural ceremonies of 1924 and the art objects that were on display in the galleries on opening day will also be discussed in this exploration of an important chapter of San Francisco history.
FAMSF Docent: Virginia Ernster
First Wednesday Art Talks are provided by the Friends of the San Rafael Libraries
The 19th and 20th centuries were an exceptionally dynamic time in American culture. Anchored by Impressionist and Realist artworks, this exhibition spans the years 1848 to 1960 and presents a variety of artistic responses to this complex period. This promised gift from Bernard and Barbro Osher enhances our American art collection with several significant “firsts”: the first large-scale oil painting by Winslow Homer (The Angler, ca. 1874), the first genre picture by William Merritt Chase (Spanish Bric-à-Brac Shop, 1883), the first major George Bellows landscape (In Virginia, 1908), the first Georgia O’Keeffe images of the Southwest (Front of Ranchos Church, 1930 and The Patio, 1940), plus thirteen artists entering our collection for the first time. The historic sweep of these paintings, drawings, and sculptures is reflected by several recurring themes, including the adventurous spirit of artists abroad, enduring allure of Impressionism, intimacy and immediacy of portraiture, and beauty of America’s landscapes and seascapes. Together, the works expand and enrich the story of American art in our galleries.
FAMSF Docent: Alfred Escoffier
First Wednesday Art Talks are provided by the Friends of the San Rafael Libraries
Too often dismissed as a sentimental painter of mothers and children, Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) was in fact a modernist pioneer. Her paintings, pastels, and prints are characterized by restless experimentation and change. Cassatt was the only American to join the French Impressionists, first exhibiting with the group at Degas’s invitation in 1879, and quickly emerged as a key member of the movement. Alongside scenes of women at the opera, visiting friends, and taking tea, Cassatt produced many images of “women’s work” — knitting and needlepoint, bathing children, and nursing infants. These images suggest parallels between the work of art making and the work of caregiving. The exhibition calls attention to the artist’s own processes of making — how she used her brush, etching needle, pastel stick, and even fingertips to create radical art under the cover of “feminine” subject matter.
FAMSF Docent: Marsha Holm
This exhibit will be at the Legion of Honor October 5th through January 25,2025.
First Wednesday Art Talks are provided by the Friends of the San Rafael Libraries
Sing and Stomp with children’s musician, Emily Bonn. This energetic music and movement performance will get your kids singing, stomping, dancing and having a great time. This program is perfect for young children and their families.
This program is brought to you thanks to the support of The Friends of the Library.
A touch of feathers, fur and scales! Learn about the astounding animals that live right here in our own neighborhoods and our state’s wonderfully diverse wildlife.
This program is brought to you thanks to the support of The Friends of the Library.
¡Un toque de plumas, pieles y escamas! Aprenda sobre los asombrosos animales que viven aquí mismo, en nuestros propios vecindarios, y sobre la maravillosa y diversa vida salvaje de nuestro estado.
Este programa se ofrece gracias al apoyo de Friends of the Library.
A touch of feathers, fur and scales! Learn about the astounding animals that live right here in our own neighborhoods and our state’s wonderfully diverse wildlife.
This program is brought to you thanks to the support of The Friends of the Library.
¡Un toque de plumas, pieles y escamas! Aprenda sobre los asombrosos animales que viven aquí mismo, en nuestros propios vecindarios, y sobre la maravillosa y diversa vida salvaje de nuestro estado.
Este programa se ofrece gracias al apoyo de Friends of the Library.
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming PRIDE Party on Sunday, June 22 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Farmers Market.
We’re partnering with AIM (Agricultural Institute of Marin), the City of San Rafael Library, and all of you to bring a joyful, family-friendly celebration to the community.
Here’s what’s in store:
MCFL Learning Bus and Bookmobile
Community partner tables
Fun crafts
Drag Storytime
DJ Destro
Face painting
Scavenger Hunt at the market
Parade through the market
We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Mark your calendars and help spread the word!
ADA Accommodation Requests
If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County program, service, or activity, requests may be made by calling 415-473-4381 (Voice), Dial 711 for CA Relay, or by submitting a Disability Accommodation Request at least five business days in advance of the event. We will do our best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats upon request.
Solicitud de Adaptación ADA
Si es usted una persona con una discapacidad y necesita una adaptación para participar en un programa, servicio o actividad del Condado, por favor llame a 415-473-3220 (Voz), Servicio de Retransmisión de CA 711, o presentando una Solicitud de Adaptación por Discapacidad con al menos cinco días hábiles de anticipación al evento. El Condado hará su mejor esfuerzo para satisfacer las solicitudes recibidas con menos de cinco días hábiles de antelación. Hay copias de los documentos disponibles en formatos alternativos, previa solicitud.
The 19th and 20th centuries were an exceptionally dynamic time in American culture. Anchored by Impressionist and Realist artworks, this exhibition spans the years 1848 to 1960 and presents a variety of artistic responses to this complex period. This promised gift from Bernard and Barbro Osher enhances our American art collection with several significant “firsts”: the first large-scale oil painting by Winslow Homer (The Angler, ca. 1874), the first genre picture by William Merritt Chase (Spanish Bric-à-Brac Shop, 1883), the first major George Bellows landscape (In Virginia, 1908), the first Georgia O’Keeffe images of the Southwest (Front of Ranchos Church, 1930 and The Patio, 1940), plus thirteen artists entering our collection for the first time. The historic sweep of these paintings, drawings, and sculptures is reflected by several recurring themes, including the adventurous spirit of artists abroad, enduring allure of Impressionism, intimacy and immediacy of portraiture, and beauty of America’s landscapes and seascapes. Together, the works expand and enrich the story of American art in our galleries.
Too often dismissed as a sentimental painter of mothers and children, Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) was in fact a modernist pioneer. Her paintings, pastels, and prints are characterized by restless experimentation and change. Cassatt was the only American to join the French Impressionists, first exhibiting with the group at Degas’s invitation in 1879, and quickly emerged as a key member of the movement. Alongside scenes of women at the opera, visiting friends, and taking tea, Cassatt produced many images of “women’s work” — knitting and needlepoint, bathing children, and nursing infants. These images suggest parallels between the work of art making and the work of caregiving. The exhibition calls attention to the artist’s own processes of making — how she used her brush, etching needle, pastel stick, and even fingertips to create radical art under the cover of “feminine” subject matter.
