News Contact:
Nicole Cruz
Office of the Superintendent/President
(415) 485-9508
KENTFIELD, CA—September 29, 2016—In partnership with the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society, College of Marin is hosting an exhibition of paintings by renowned American artist, George Demont Otis (1879-1962). The exhibition opens on October 1 with a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery. The beauty of Marin County, as depicted in 27 landscape paintings by Otis, will remain on display through October 27.
Otis was captivated by the beauty of Mt. Tamalpais and the rolling hills of Marin. He had traversed the United States working as a Hollywood film designer and a professional baseball pitcher. In 1934, he and his wife, Clara Van Tine, built a house on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield. They crafted this home into a studio and gallery to showcase their many artistic creations.
The artist’s life and work recently rose to the community’s attention once again through the creation of a book commissioned by the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society. Thanks to the help of his grandniece, Jessie Hartley, a collection of information and memories of the life Otis and his wife began to take shape. Historical Society members hope to spread the word about an artist who captured the beauty of the surrounding landscapes so that all can enjoy his masterful works of art.
Longtime Marin County resident and Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society member Mary Gilardi is thrilled the paintings will be exhibited in the locale where Otis drew so much of his inspiration. “Marin's scenic history has been immortalized through the paintings of George Demont Otis providing us with a window back in time,” said Gilardi. “This exhibit represents the work of the artist who lived in Kentfield and painted his visions of Marin for over thirty years. No other artist had ever painted so much of Marin over such an extended period of time.”
In addition to the partnership with the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society, the exhibition was made possible by the private collections of Jesse Hartley, Aurel Keck, and the Kentfield Fire Department.
George Demont Otis
American Impressionist
October 1 – 27, 2016
Opening Reception
Saturday, October 1, 2016
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Gallery Hours
The Fine Arts Gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information call (415) 485-9494 or www.kghs.org