Congratulations to the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition Prize Winners!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Ontario

Department of Museum, Arts & Culture

Congratulations to the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition Prize Winners!

The Ontario Museum of History & Art, in collaboration with the Ontario Museum Associates and The Arts Area, announces the nine winners of the . The winners were awarded prizes at a special reception held on Saturday, May 3 hosted by the Ontario Museum Associates and The Arts Area. This juried exhibition showcases over 150 artists from Southern California and offers a unique opportunity to experience the diverse voices and visions of contemporary artists from the region. 

“We are deeply grateful to the many talented artists who submitted their work for this year's Ontario Open Art Exhibition. Each year, we are privileged to experience extraordinary creativity, and the caliber of artwork in this exhibition is truly outstanding. As a board, we are honored to bring such inspiring pieces to our community. We invite everyone to visit the Museum and view the exhibition.”

-Cherry Dobbs, President of the Ontario Museum Associates

Three jurors reviewed over 150 artworks, selecting seven artworks for the following awards: first, second, and third place, as well as four honorable mentions. The jurors included Casey Lee, Curator of Art and Exhibits at the San Bernardino County Museum; Robert Benitez, Curator at the Museum of Art & History in Lancaster, CA; and Tiffany Talavera, Curator of Visitor Engagement at the San Bernardino County Museum. In addition, City Council Member, Debra Porada presented the City Council Liaison Award and Donna Chadwick presented the Steven Craig Thomas Photography Award in memory of her late husband, Steven Thomas. 

The winners are as follows:

First place:                             Andrew Bentson, Unincorporated, 2025 - Oil paint. 

Second place:                      Alexi Butts, Stand Your Ground, 2023 - Porcelain paper clay and iron oxide wash.

Third place:                           Kalynn Vidaure, Still Life of My Late Grandpa’s Tool Cart, 2024 - Color pencil.

Honorable Mention:             Bonnie Lambert, Top of the World, 2024 - Oil paint on canvas.

Honorable Mention:             Edward L. Rubin, My Mannequin Moment-Gameday, 2024 - Photography.

Honorable Mention:             Adrian Anguiano, Your Main Mission; Was Your Main Poison, 2024 - Cyanotype on canvas.

Honorable Mention:             Christen Austin, Living Water, 2022  - Acrylic paint and gold leaf on canvas.

City Council Liaison Award:            Holger Paetau, Over the Top, 2024 - Polychromatic woodturning.

Steven Craig Thomas                       Andrew K. Thompson, Black and White Power Line with Orange Cables, 2024 - Silver gelatin print and thread.
Photography Award:                       

Major support for the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition is provided by Ontario Elks Lodge #1419, with additional support from Donna Chadwick, in honor of her beloved husband Steven Craig Thomas, Paul J. Gomez, Cherry Dobbs, Sherry Glab, Debra Porada, Mike and Kathleen Fariss, Leslie Sherwood James, Joe and Nancy Blackstock, Erina Higa, Marissa Kucheck, and Loretha Nwosu.

Upcoming events related to the exhibition include:

• Studio Saturdays: Plein Air Sketching Saturday, June 14, 12 PM – 3 PM, Ages 10+

Capture scenes from the Museum’s Tongva and California Native Plant Gardens in a plein air (outdoor) sketching session with Yessenia Barron Reyes from the Ontario Open exhibition. Plein air sketching is the practice of drawing or painting outdoors, allowing artists to observe and capture the natural environment in real time. In this session, you’ll learn techniques for sketching in an open-air setting while paying close attention to light, color, and form. Materials and supplies will be provided. Sign-up is recommended but not required.
 

• Studio Saturdays: Threading Photography with Andrew K. Thompson Saturday, July 12, 12 PM – 3 PM, Ages 15+

Join exhibiting artist Andrew K. Thompson, whose work is included in the Ontario Open,   for a workshop that explores the intersection of photography, landscapes, and process. Learn about Thompson’s photography practice as he guides you through this hands-on workshop. Sign-up is recommended but not required.

The 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition is on view at the Ontario Museum of History & Art through Sunday, July 20, 2025. The Museum is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, CA 91762. The hours are Thursday and Friday, Noon to 4 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission to the Museum, programs, and exhibit is free and open to all. 

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Additional Information
The Ontario Museum of History & Art preserves, interprets, and celebrates the history and cultural heritage of Ontario and the surrounding area. From developing exhibitions, to engaging visitors through educational experiences, and events that inspire creative action, the Museum is an anchor to the growing downtown arts district. The Museum recently achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. The Museum is uniquely housed in Ontario’s former City Hall, a historical landmark funded by the Works Progress Administration.

About the Ontario Museum of History & Art

The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, Noon to 4 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a facility of the City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts & Culture. For more information call (909) 395-2510, email MuseumInfo@ontarioCA.gov, visit OntarioMuseum.org or follow @ontariomuseum_artsculture on Instagram.

About the City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is enhancing the quality-of-life by creating urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play.  Located just east of Los Angeles and Orange counties, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as a gateway to Southern California. With major freeways, rail transportation and an International Airport, Ontario invites the rest of the world to be a part of a culturally diverse community with rich history that is well positioned for quality development and economic sustainability for its residents. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario offers premium entertainment venues such as the Ontario Convention Center, Toyota Arena, and Ontario Mills. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit OntarioCA.gov  or call (909) 395-2000.

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