The California Art Club opens its third exhibition, “A Rite of Passage: The American Road Trip,” at the Old Mill in San Marino on May 14. The show features paintings by CAC artists depicting cross-country highway scenes, including desert roads, small-town main streets, and roadside landmarks, as part of the club’s series celebrating California’s 175th anniversary and the United States’ 250th. The exhibition runs through October 4.
The exhibition highlights the California Art Club’s long tradition of plein air painting and its role in documenting the state’s artistic identity since its founding in 1909. By tying the show to major state and national anniversaries, the club underscores the cultural significance of the American road trip as a shared experience, while also drawing visitors to the historic Old Mill, a California Historical Landmark.