Corona
Art Association
ART HAPPENS HERE!
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ART HAPPENS HERE! |
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Our History
Original artwork by Carolyn Billington Founding Father and Mother of CAA The two people credited with establishing and founding the Corona Art Association are Maxine Piester and Dominick Frascella. There are other individuals who were instrumental in getting the group to this stage including several people who worked with Corona artists as a part of the Riverside Art Association. It began as a small guild and it wasn't until there were 17 people and the energized pair of Maxine and Dominick that the Corona artists actually formed a separate independent group in 1963. Dominick was a local restaurant owner, a business man and an outgoing, sociable individual. He was funny, kind, talented, opinionated, faithful and patriotic. Simply put, he was one of a kind! He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on February 1, 1912 and was the eldest of six children who, he said, never fought. He worked as a buyer for the National Silver Service Company and served as an Army Master Sergeant on a medical ship during World War II. In 1949 he moved to Corona and along with his best friend, Robert Burrell, opened the Live Oak Inn Restaurant which they ran for 30 years. Over the years Dominick set up meeting sites (including using his own restaurant) and places for the CAA to exhibit art. He painted and exhibited in the association shows and events and was involved in many facets of the organization. He continued to be active in the group until his health declined and he past away on February 12, 2004. His partner in the founding process was Maxine Piester who was an art teacher and accomplished artist. Maxine was an active participant and supporter of the association for many years. She and her husband Eugene became life members. She held every office and committee position possible throughout her years in the association and went out of her way to keep the arts alive and vibrant in the community. The two artists together in partnership with the 17 other original members had a vision about the visual arts in Corona and they always kept that vision alive. They got involved with the local community and they exhibited their art work all over the area. Maxine even went to Sacramento along with several of the other member artists to make sure that our state political leaders were aware that artists were alive and well, working in Corona. In the early days the group was very active in a variety of community events. They exhibited art in many local businesses and public places and they were involved in a variety of events at community functions and within the nursing homes and adult centers. Over time the group has had it's share of ups and downs. Luckily, there have always been a few people who come and go in the organization who help to energize and revitalize the original vision. Although Dominick and Maxine are no longer physically with us, the energy and spirit of their example continues to motivate our artists to continue and advance the work started back in the 1960s. From the 1960s to today (2007) a lot has changed in the arts and in society. Still it is important to continue the basic mission which is to support the arts and the efforts of artists within the community and to provide a means to educate the association members, the Corona/Norco community and the general public about the visual arts. The visual arts are a positive aspect of our community and the continued growth and expansion of the arts helps everyone experience a better quality of life. We hope the example of the CAA founders will inspire our membership and all the members of the Southern California community to promote and advance the role of art for all. The two main ways they we continue to honor our founding duo is through the Maxine Piester Scholarship Fund and through our art shows. Of the art shows hosted annually by CAA, two of the competitive shows are directly linked to our history. In February we host the annual Founders' Day Show and in November we host the Dominick Frascella show. For additional information and entry rules please click here. To find out more about the history of the Corona Art Association please visit the Art House Gallery or get in touch with our current organization historian, Judy Henderson. You may call at the Art House at 735-3226 for more information. Contact Information
For More Information Contact: Corona, CA 92878
Tel: 951-735-3226 |
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Copyright © 2007 Corona Arts Association All material contained on this website, in the Corona Art News and within links to other material is copyright protected material. Copyright is by the Corona Art Association or the original artists and authors. Unless otherwise noted permission is granted to other non-profit art associations to circulate information to their members except for original art images and art photos which are the sole property of the original artists. Please contact the Corona Art Association if you have any questions regarding copyright of site material..Send mail to info@coronaartassociation.com with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 04/27/08 |
