Laguna Art Museum Strengthens Vision, Announces 2 New Curatorial Fellows

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Art Museum is a small, but impactful hub for decades of California art of all periods and styles. As one of the oldest cultural institutes in Southern California, the museum's vision is constantly being shaped and strengthened — and curators play an integral role in that vision.

The Laguna Art Museum announced art historian Jean Stern and recognized curator, educator and arts writer Rochelle Steiner will serve as Curatorial Fellows in a Thursday announcement. Both curators will serve the museum through early 2023.

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As Curatorial Fellows to the museum, Stern and Steiner will help develop and present museum exhibitions and public programs involving the community.

Stern and Steiner will focus on their areas of expertise: presenting programs to educate art lovers with unique experiences.

According to a news release, Stern has a wealth of experience as an author, curator, lecturer and teacher. He is a Director Emeritus of The Irvine Museum, where he helped to establish a national presence for the museum in the fields of California art and history through a series of books, exhibitions, lectures and documentaries.

He has also presented over 250 lectures, and served as either judge or jury to nearly 100 art competitions, the release said.

Steiner brings with her over 20 years of experience working with artists and cultural institutions in the United States and around the world. Among her many accomplishments, she is a recognized curator, writer and educator, and has organized more than 70 major art exhibitions and large-scale public art projects worldwide. Steiner, a Los Angeles native, also currently serves as a Global Curator for Artpark in Western New York.

In 2019, she was appointed Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs at Palm Springs Art Museum, where she was responsible for developing, curating and executing the annual exhibition program.

"The strong backgrounds and experience of both individuals will help define curatorial projects at Laguna Art Museum," Executive Director Julie Perlin Lee said in a statement. “These collaborations will build upon the quality of museum exhibitions, scholarship and programming, and instill confidence in the museum’s commitment to California art and artists.”