OCC Art Exhibition Will Pay Tribute To Influential Local Gallery Owner

Orange Coast College’s Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion will pay tribute to one of the most influential players in the Orange County art scene with an exhibition titled “Into her Own: Diane Nelson, Four Decades in the Art World.”

Diane Nelson will retire this year after a long and celebrated 40-year career in Orange County. Nelson — an OCC alumna — has actively supported many working artists in the region during her career as a gallery owner, and has nurtured both emerging talent and mid-career artists. Her influence has fostered a growing community of art collectors, helping to create a culture of collecting in Orange County.

“No other gallerist in the Orange County community has impacted the art scene like Diane Nelson,” says guest curator Susan Anderson. “Numerous regional artists, collectors, art dealers, and even arts professionals ‘cut their teeth’ under [her] guidance.”

“Into Her Own” will feature some 70 works of art that have been shown in four of Nelson’s galleries over the span of 40 years.

The exhibition will commence with a reception on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. and will run until April 9. The Doyle Arts Pavilion also will host an artist talk on Wednesday, March 9 at 5 p.m. All events are free and the public is invited to attend.