The spaciously reimagined new home of one of the world’s largest collections of California narrative art officially opened to the public in February. The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, founded and funded through the ongoing generosity of art patrons and philanthropists Mark and Janet Hilbert, has undergone an ambitious three-year project to expand from 7,000 to 22,000 sq. ft. on the same site it has occupied in Orange since opening in 2016.

“The Hilbert Collection is unique in that it is one of the few to specialize in narrative art – or art that tells a story, which in our case is focused on California. Because of this, we wanted a museum building that embraces the visitor and entices them to explore the history and culture of the Golden State as seen through the painters, illustrators, animators and other artists who have long been drawn here,” said Museum Director Mary Platt.

The new two-building venue offers 26 galleries for rotating displays of the more than 5,000 oils, watercolors and drawings depicting everyday California life in the growing Hilbert Collection. The museum also has a café, research library and community room for lectures, classes and events. An outdoor courtyard creates a new gateway to Old Towne Orange.

To learn more and make a reservation, visit hilbertmuseum.org.