Acquisitions Unveiling and Announcements

Michael DeSutter, It's Magic, 2024

The Jonathan Art Foundation was thrilled to share two of its most recent acquisitions last month, in a grand unveiling hosted at the Town Club. Jeweled Hills (1922) by Joseph Kleitsch and San Gabriel Valley (1902) by George Gardner Symons were formally presented to our Town Club and Circle of Support members. Over 100 people attended to celebrate these brilliant additions to the Foundation’s treasured art collection, and no small thanks are due to the donors whose generous contributions made their procurement possible.

“The Jonathan Club’s art collection has such a special place in our hearts and is one of the best in the U.S. for Southern California Impressionism. These art pieces are a physical, visually vibrant fulfillment of the Jonathan Art Foundation’s core responsibilities: to acquire and exhibit outstanding artworks which focus primarily on Southern California artists and history. Going forward, I am excited to see the growth and refinement of this esteemed collection and the support by our enthusiastic circle of supporters.” - Judy Jenkins, JAF President

It is with great excitement that we announce another, more recent acquisition: It’s Magic by Michael De Sutter. This contemporary collage artwork is now on display in the Town Club’s Sun Room. Hailing from the series Look How Far We've Come, Are We There Yet?, this body of work ponders life’s ongoing journey, posing the contemplative question: “Where has life taken us?”

The series was born out of a childlike reflection on where life has led the artist, versus the early circumstances of where it all began. Sourcing materials from 1940s LIFE and Fortune magazines, DeSutter employs medium as both an exploration of nostalgia – reminiscing on early memories he has of sitting with his grandfather in his office – and process, using a vintage construction method representative of the arts and crafts he enjoyed in his early years with his grandmother at the dining table.

“I feel like I’m a bit of a broken record, but like most of my work I see these as a continuation in celebrating the life I’m making for myself...I think the little boy on the farm would be proud of us.”

Carlie Frazier, the Club’s interior designer, personally selected the new work. “It’s Magic has a great backstory. The collage components, which are actually period magazine clippings, have thematic sentiments around gathering and a sense of family which we felt was a unique fit for the club. He's also a local LA artist, which we always love to highlight.”