This summer, the acclaimed Pageant of the Masters invites audiences on a one-of-a-kind road trip across the Golden State with its 2025 production, Gold Coast: Treasures of California. As part of this celebration of California’s artistic legacy, the Pageant will re-create several iconic artworks and landmarks from Northern California’s most revered collections, including the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and historic public art from the heart of the city.
Each summer for the last 90 years, the Pageant transforms its stage into a moving canvas, where real people become part of life-size masterpieces, and this year, the show takes inspiration from the rich culture and art destinations of California. “This summer, we’ll be presenting nearly forty living art recreations of many of the state’s finest art treasures, taking audiences on a road trip to have a closer look at the greatest art California has to offer- without ever leaving their seats,” said Diane Challis Davy, Pageant of the Masters Director.
Challis Davy continued, “Northern California’s museums are just a short trip away, making them a natural fit for our road trip theme. As a Southern California native, I have a deep respect for the region’s arts community. I’ve visited the ‘old’ de Young in Golden Gate Park and later explored its modern redevelopment. The panoramic view from the copper-clad Hamon Observation Tower inside the museum is a memory I’ll always cherish. The art, history, and distinctive architecture of these cultural spaces make the pieces they house even more meaningful.”
The first stop on the Pageant’s artsy road trip: Sacramento, home to the Crocker Art Museum, California’s very first art museum and the oldest on the West Coast. Two paintings by Charles Christian Nahl, “Saturday Evening in the Mines” and “Sunday Morning in the Mines,” will offer Pageant audiences a window into the 1850s mining camps, capturing both the promise and harsh realities of the Gold Rush. “‘Sunday Morning in the Mines’ is full of action and detail with lots of hidden ‘easter eggs’ and human figures,” shared Challis Davy. “It’s sure to be a crowd favorite- especially for those who love spotting all the volunteer cast members within the re-creation.”
Next, the journey heads west to the Bay Area, where two artistic treasures from San Francisco will be re-created in this summer’s show. From the collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s de Young Museum, the Pageant will feature “Recreation” by Jerome Thompson, one of the museum’s many 19th-century American classics. Also returning to the Pageant stage is “Mechanics Monument,” a 1901 bronze statue by Douglas Tilden located at the intersection of Market, Bush, and Battery Streets in San Francisco. This masterpiece of figurative sculpture stands 21 feet tall and was one of the first major public artworks commissioned in the city. Located in the heart of downtown, the monument is a celebration of the working class and a powerful tribute to resilience and innovation.
These artworks, rich in storytelling and detail, will be brought to life with the Pageant’s renowned blend of lighting, costume, and stage magic. Challis Davy also shared that there are many new enhancements planned for this summer. “We’ve worked hard to enrich the art experience by incorporating several new ‘behind-the-scenes’ moments for the audience to enjoy. And if you love live music, the Pageant’s 20-piece orchestra will perform original music specially created for the show by talented California composers.”
As Gold Coast continues, audiences will journey south through Pasadena, San Simeon, San Diego, and beyond, encountering re-creations of public sculptures, iconic architecture, and treasured artworks from institutions like the J. Paul Getty Museum, Norton Simon Museum, and Balboa Park.
The 2025 Pageant of the Masters production Gold Coast: Treasures of California will run nightly from July 5 through August 29, 2025. Early ticket purchase is recommended, the Pageant is highly sought after and draws art enthusiasts from around the world. For updates, follow the Festival on social media @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.