A new special exhibit, “Art and Artifact,” opens on Tuesday, December 20 in the Fisk Gallery at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. The exhibit, which will run through mid-March, features original works of art from the museum’s collection along with artifacts from the history division’s collections. Admission to the exhibit is included with paid museum admission.

“This exhibit highlights some favorite works of art along with interesting artifacts displayed as a response to the art,” said Michele Nielsen, museum curator of history and archives. “Many artists state that they create their work from their own reality, perhaps informed by objects or ideas, but not with the intent that the art they create is a direct representation of those artifacts or concepts. We thought it would be interesting to pair art and artifacts in a way that allows the viewer to explore that idea.”

According to Phil Dike, an artist featured in the exhibit, “A painting is good not because it looks like something but rather because it feels like something,” and Pablo Picasso said, “I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.” Works by John Edward Svenson, local artists Ben Rabe and Jeff Owens, Terry Thornsley, John W. Hilton, Brad Diddams, Boris Deustch, John Moyer, and Ramón G. Contreras are included in the exhibit. Artifacts relate to regional culture: water, school, fashion, ranching, farming, citriculture, missions, and exploring the natural world, all themes in the art.

“We hope the art itself and artists’ statements like these will help spark the dialog,” said Nielsen. “Visitors can make a bit of art themselves, by posting their own quotable statement about art on the sticky-note mural in the gallery.”

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm; closed December 25 and January 1. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visi www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.