Dear ARLIS members,

Some of you received the following last summer. My apologies to those, to
any of you who already know about the Clark Center, and to the many who
will never, ever have a chance to visit Hanford, California.

Cordially, Laurence McGilvery

Last July 3 my wife and I were travelling south on US 99 through the San
Joaquin Valley. By great good fortune a librarian friend told us that
afternoon of a remarkable collection of Japanese art in Hanford,
California. Though we arrived at the Clark Center for Japanese Art with
only some twenty minutes to spare, what we saw in that time was enough to
make me urge anyone driving north or south on I-5 or US 99 between Southern
and Northern California to take a detour of an hour or two to see this
wonderful place.

Willard G. and Elizabeth Clark have been collecting Japanese art since the
mid-1950s. A close friendship with Sherman E. and Ruth Lee beginning in
1977 intensified and focussed the collection. [The full name of the Center
appears below.] An interview with Mr. Clark in the 1998 December
Orientations gives a good account of this history, and there is supposed to
be an article in the October issue of Sunset Magazine.

The Center consists of two Japanese-style buildings in a grove of walnut
trees-the gallery and an administration building containing offices, the
study center, and an outstanding library.

I doubt that there were more than twenty pieces on display in the gallery
during our visit, but these screens, scrolls, and a few sculptures were, in
a word, sublime. They would shine in any museum in the world. The exhibits
change three times a year. The gallery is open 1-5 pm Tuesday through
Saturday, with docent tours on Saturday at 1 pm. It is closed during July
and August. The Clarks are actively encouraging both public memberships and
serious study. Scholars wanting to use the facilities should contact the
center in advance. The address and phone number are:

The Ruth & Sherman Lee Institute for Japanese Art
at the Clark Center
15770 10th Avenue
Hanford, California 93230
Tel: (559) 582-4915
Fax: (559) 582-9546

Website: www.shermanleeinstitute.org

A map is available upon request, but here is a perhaps-too-detailed set of
driving instructions, as well.

Hanford is a small farm town southwest of Fresno, west of US 99 and east of
the Harris Ranch (on I-5). It also is the home of a legendary Chinese
restaurant founded in 1883 and run after WWII by General George Marshall's
private cook. Although the restaurant still exists and the present
generation is rather tired, according to Mr. Clark, he says it still is the
best place in the area for dinner.

From the north heading south on I-5, exit at Highway 198 (Harris Ranch) and
drive due east. After 21 or 22 miles, 198 veers left (northeast) under an
overpass at the east edge of the Lemoore Naval Air Station. Exit just
before the overpass at the sign saying Hanford-Stratford and continue due
east on Jackson Avenue about 12 miles to 10th Avenue. Turn right (south),
and look for a very discreet sign and driveway 3/4 of a mile south of
Jackson in the walnut grove on the right. To continue south after your
visit, return on Jackson to Highway 41. Turn left (south) through Stratford
to Kettleman City, where you will rejoin I-5.

From Fresno and points north, take US 99 to Highway 43 south about 15 miles
below Fresno. When it veers to the left (southeast), continue due south on
10th Avenue. The exit says Hanford/Corcoran and splits immediately. Stay on
the left side of the exit, following the sign to Hanford/Corcoran. Go to
the stop light and turn right. This is Highland Ave, which becomes 10th Ave
once it enters Kings County. Continue south on 10th to Jackson Avenue a few
miles beyond the main part of Hanford. Then continue 3/4 mile south to the
walnut grove on the right. If you miss the 10th Ave exit into Hanford, just
stay on Hwy 43 bypass to Jackson, go right to 10th, turn left, and come 3/4
mile south.To continue south after your visit, follow the directions in the
preceding paragraph.

From the south, take I-5 north to Kettleman City, then Highway 41 through
Stratford to Jackson Avenue (22 or 23 miles). Turn right (east) on Jackson
and go about 9.5 miles to 10th Avenue. Turn right (south) on 10th. Look for
a very discreet sign and driveway in the walnut grove a 3/4 mile south on
the right. To continue north after your visit, take Jackson due west. It
will merge with Highway 198 a few miles after Highway 41 and connect with
I-5 at Harris Ranch (about 34 miles total).

To continue north towards Fresno and Sacramento, take 10th Avenue north. It
will merge with Highway 43, and that will connect with US 99.

I believe these are all excellent rural roads, although I have not driven
Highway 41 between Kettleman City and Jackson Avenue.

Laurence McGilvery
Post Office Box 852
La Jolla, California 92038-0852, USA
(858) 454-4443 or 456-6623
www.mcgilvery.com
[log in to unmask]

__________________________________________________________________
Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
        to [log in to unmask]
ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
       http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
Questions may be addressed to list owner (Kerri Scannell) at: [log in to unmask]