The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) at Cal State San Bernardino will reopen their doors to welcome two new exhibitions, “Formalist without Formula: Don Woodford Selected Works 1972-2022” and “Legacy: Former Students of Don Woodford.”

Both exhibitions will be open from Monday, Feb. 7, until Saturday, April 9.

Professor emeritus of painting in the Department of Art and Design, Don Woodford began his academic career at California State University, San Bernardino in 1972. After he retired in 2001, he continued to teach studio painting courses for two academic years.

An artist, educator, curator and collector, Woodford has an extensive and rich knowledge of art, both historical and contemporary, supported by an outstanding visual sensitivity and highly admirable esthetic proficiency. In his long career, Woodford has mastered collage and painting techniques, experimenting in both two- and three-dimensional abstract forms.

According to CSUSB professor of art and design Thomas McGovern’s recent essay, to be published in conjunction with the exhibition, “Don’s oeuvre is remarkably consistent, with form and color being its primary concerns, and without repetition. If I had to categorize him, it would certainly be as a formalist, and knowing that his methodology is highly intuitive, it is obvious that there is no formula from which he works. Don is an artist’s artist, someone with a clear vision, amazing work ethic and deep knowledge of history, all of which inform his art.”

RAFFMA’s exhibition presents a selection of Woodford’s diverse body work encompassing a period of five decades. During that time, the language and form of Woodford’s uniquely personal art have evolved multiple times, often inspired by places and place-related experiences, each influencing a new body of work, introducing fresh formal solutions and subtle stylistic nuances.

“I enjoyed my years at the university a great deal,” Woodford said with fondness. “When I was searching for a teaching position, I only considered working at schools in Southern California because I felt then, and still feel, that there is a wonderful creative energy within the art community here. If I could magically have the opportunity to do it over again, I would jump at the chance.”

During his long tenure at CSUSB, Woodford trained, inspired and mentored many students who later became accomplished artists and educators. In the concurrent exhibition, “Legacy: Former Students of Don Woodford,” eight of Woodford’s former students present their own work along the work of their highly respected and beloved professor. The exhibition features Erik Greene, Sonja Oh Kim, Kerry Kugelman, Stevie Love, Randy McCoy, Sharon Suhovy VanderMeiden, Donna Morin and Oliver Sutter.  

About Don Woodford
Don Woodford holds a BA from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa; an MA from Illinois State University; and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin. Before joining the CSUSB faculty, he taught painting at his alma mater, Cornell College, and Reed College in Portland, Ore. At CSUSB, Woodford served also as director of the University Art Gallery for 14 years and as the department chair for three years.

Plan your visit to RAFFMA by visiting the RAFFMA website.

For questions, please contact raffma@csusb.edu.

About RAFFMA
The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, houses a collection that includes Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art, and hosts 10-12 temporary exhibitions a year. Located at California State University, San Bernardino, RAFFMA presents one of the largest public displays of ancient Egyptian art in Southern California.

The museum offers a variety of opportunities providing valuable hands-on work experience and preparation for future museum-related careers for CSUSB students. The museum is a great location for hosting corporate events, networking events, meetings, social gatherings and K-12 school field trips. When you visit RAFFMA, you find it’s more than a museum – it’s an unforgettable experience.

General admission to the museum is free. Suggested donation is $3. Parking at Cal State San Bernardino is $6 per vehicle ($3 on weekends).

RAFFMA Hours
Monday – Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Closed Friday and Sunday

Visit the RAFFMA website for more information.