CalArts names new art studio building after John Baldessari

Artist John Baldessari has had a long association with the California Institute of the Arts, where he was a professor of art for nearly two decades. On Friday, the school announced that it is naming a new art studio building on campus in honor of the 82-year-old artist.

The John Baldessari Art Studio Building, which has already opened, cost $3.1 million to build and features approximately 7,000 square feet of space -- much of it used as studio space for art students and faculty.

CalArts paid for the construction using internal funds, according to a spokeswoman. However, the school is launching a $5 million-plus fundraising campaign that is intended to cover that cost, as well as to fund a scholarship.

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Baldessari didn’t donate any money for the new building, said the spokeswoman. She said the decision to name the facility after him was made by the school in recognition of Baldessari’s years working there.

The artist was a professor of art at the school from when it first opened to students in 1970 until 1988.

CalArts said that it will hold an art auction that will benefit the $5-million campaign. The auction, featuring works by Baldessari, Vija Celmins, Catherine Opie, Ed Ruscha and others, will be presented in an exhibition and sale at Paula Cooper Gallery and Metro Pictures in New York from April 5 to 19, with a preview at Regen Projects in Los Angeles in March.

Part of the sale will take place on the online site Artsy, while Christie’s in New York will handle other parts of the overall auction. The Christie’s auction is scheduled for May 13.

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