Timken Museum of Art

Timken Museum of Art World-class fine art collection of European & American masters, and Russian icons. Always free! Designed by San Diego architect John Mock for Frank L.
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Affectionately known as the “jewel box” of fine art, the Timken is home to the Putnam Foundation’s world-class collection of European and American masterpieces and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Singleton Copley, and Eastman Johnson. Hope and Associates, the museum building is considered one of the most important e

xamples of mid-century southern California modernism, and one of the finest regional examples of the International Style in the United States.

Join us for our upcoming Focus Tour, Celebrating Women in Art. 🎨This specialized gallery tour highlights the incredible ...
06/23/2026

Join us for our upcoming Focus Tour, Celebrating Women in Art. 🎨

This specialized gallery tour highlights the incredible contributions of female artists throughout history, as well as the evolving portrayal of women in fine art across different eras. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the Timken’s permanent collection through a fresh lens.

No pre-registration is required. Simply arrive and check in at the Front Desk to join the group!

Welcome the summer season with the meditative art of hand-building clay. On Monday, June 22, join local ceramic artists ...
06/15/2026

Welcome the summer season with the meditative art of hand-building clay. On Monday, June 22, join local ceramic artists Jessica Van Ruiten and Melissa Ordway in our James A. Lester Gallery for an immersive ceramics workshop.
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Participants will learn foundational techniques to craft a pair of ceramic candleholders. For the finishing touch, you will select a glaze palette inspired by the deep sea greens and muted sage tones of Thomas Birch’s maritime masterpiece, "An American Ship in Distress" (1841). 🌊

All skill levels are welcome, and the workshop fee includes all materials, tools, and light refreshments.

To secure a spot, tap the Upcoming Events in our bio to join and explore other upcoming events.

Help us bring a piece of art to life! Join us on Saturday, June 20th for our Creation Station: Mural Making event. ✨🖌️Th...
06/13/2026

Help us bring a piece of art to life! Join us on Saturday, June 20th for our Creation Station: Mural Making event. ✨🖌️

This community-driven workshop gives visitors of all ages and skill levels the chance to collaborate on a vibrant, large-scale mural. All materials are provided—just bring your imagination and your love for art.

This is a free event, no registration required.

Join us on Thursday, June 18, for Memories at the Museums, an in-person tour specially designed for individuals with mem...
06/12/2026

Join us on Thursday, June 18, for Memories at the Museums, an in-person tour specially designed for individuals with memory disorders and their care partners. 🖼️

Trained Timken docents will guide participants through the galleries, using fine art to stimulate visual and verbal abilities, facilitate socialization, and spark memory.

This program is presented in partnership with the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Alzheimer's Association.

Tap the Upcoming Events in our bio to join and explore other upcoming events.

06/11/2026

The widespread popularization in the 4th century AD of constructing basilicas for use as churches throughout the Roman Empire was promoted by Emperor Constantine. This architecture inspired an extraordinary amount of art. Led by Timken Docent and USD Professor of Biblical Studies Dr. Florence Gillman, this virtual talk will survey the architectural form and function of basilicas, as well as some of the most famous surviving examples and their art, including Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Peter’s in Rome.

What makes a building a basilica? 🏛️ Tomorrow, on June 11, we are diving into the 4th century AD, when Emperor Constanti...
06/10/2026

What makes a building a basilica? 🏛️ Tomorrow, on June 11, we are diving into the 4th century AD, when Emperor Constantine popularized the basilica and sparked an architectural revolution that inspired centuries of extraordinary art.

Join us on Zoom as Timken Docent and USD Professor of Biblical Studies, Dr. Florence Gillman, discusses the history behind these magnificent structures. We’ll explore some of Rome's most famous surviving examples, including Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Peter’s.

Tap the Upcoming Events Page in our bio to join this virtual talk and explore other events.

What stories does this woman's dress tell about her identity? Her lifestyle? Her status in society? Discover the answers...
06/06/2026

What stories does this woman's dress tell about her identity? Her lifestyle? Her status in society? Discover the answers on June 14th with an engaging illustrated talk and live demonstration by UCLA fashion historian Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell! Grab your tickets now on our website!

05/28/2026

Art in England during the 19th century was characterized by several diverse movements and interests. It witnessed the development of Romanticism, which gave way to Victorian-era social realism. This was during a time when the country underwent powerful industrialization, which revealed social change and a move toward more realism in art. Literary themes also became integrated into the subject of these paintings. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century also looked to literary works along with medieval themes as a basis for their artwork. Vibrant color, detail, and a strong focus on naturalism were also apparent in their artwork. After the 1851 Great Exhibition, photography and new printing techniques influenced both the accuracy and dissemination of art in England. Later in the century, the Arts and Crafts Movement was seen as a reaction against industrialization and a means of supporting traditional craftsmanship. The above movements and important artists of the time including JMW Turner, John Constable, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti will be discussed in this virtual docent-led talk.

🌟 Did you know the enchanting, naturalistic masterpieces of the Barbizon School fueled the creativity of legends from Th...
05/22/2026

🌟 Did you know the enchanting, naturalistic masterpieces of the Barbizon School fueled the creativity of legends from Thomas Cole to Vincent van Gogh? Dive deeper into the world of this transformative group of painters during our captivating Virtual Talk on May 28th! Don't miss out – join us to explore their incredible influence! 🎨✨

In our Creative Engagement program, veterans at the VA La Jolla were invited to reflect on the writing prompt: “My life ...
05/21/2026

In our Creative Engagement program, veterans at the VA La Jolla were invited to reflect on the writing prompt: “My life is made up of seconds…” and transform their haikus into illustrated works of art.

Through poetry and visual storytelling, participants explored memory, resilience, identity, and personal expression — reminding us how meaningful creativity can be as a tool for reflection and connection.

We are deeply grateful to the Conrad Prebys Foundation for supporting Creative Engagement and helping make programs like this possible for our community. 💙

Address

1500 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA
92101

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16192395548

Website

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