The Pageant of the Masters is set to make history this summer by opening its 2025 production of Gold Coast: Treasures of California with the re-creation of three paintings by long-time Festival of Arts exhibitor Susan Hoehn. While it is rare for a living artist’s work to be featured on the Pageant stage, Hoehn’s selection is particularly special as she is not only an established Festival of Arts exhibitor, but also the first artist in recent history to have multiple pieces re-created to open the production.
Hoehn, now in her 11th year exhibiting at the Festival of Arts, has captivated audiences with her vibrant paintings depicting museum visitors engaging with art. This summer her paintings, “Blue Dog,” “The Artist at LACMA,” and “Local Legend” will be transformed into breathtaking tableaux vivants, bringing her distinctive perspective to life in an entirely new way.
“I believe that all artists are inspired by the subjects they paint,” Hoehn shared. “Visiting museums is one of my favorite activities, and I can’t help but be inspired by the great works of art created by the masters of the past. Seeing my own work re-created in this way is a surreal and humbling experience.”
Pageant re-creation of “The Artist at LACMA” by Susan Hoehn
Each of these pieces offers a unique reflection on the relationship between viewer and artwork. “Blue Dog” captures a visitor’s quiet moment of contemplation before a striking piece at The Broad Museum, while “Local Legend” pays tribute to the legacy of Wayne Thiebaud, one of California’s most celebrated painters, as his works are admired at Laguna Art Museum. The most personal of the three, “The Artist at LACMA,” is particularly meaningful to Hoehn as it is a self-portrait, making this Pageant re-creation even more special. “I have been painting museum-goers viewing art for over 10 years, and this is the first time I have painted myself into one of my works. It should be fun to see!” she shared.
Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy, who carefully curates the show’s selection with a team each year, felt Hoehn’s pieces perfectly aligned with the 2025 theme, Gold Coast, which celebrates the state’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. “Susan Hoehn’s paintings beautifully capture the intimate relationship between people and art,” said Challis Davy. “They reflect the very essence of this year’s theme, which highlights the state’s most treasured artistic institutions. It’s an exciting way to begin this year’s show.”
The inclusion of Hoehn’s work is a fitting introduction to Gold Coast, which will reimagine iconic works from California’s most prestigious museums, including the Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Norton Simon Museum. Her paintings highlight the very institutions that house and preserve the artistic treasures celebrated in this year’s Pageant, making them a natural bridge between the show’s theme and its artistic presentation.
“I hope that my inclusion in the Pageant inspires both artists and audiences to engage more deeply with the creative world around them,” Hoehn said. “I hope to represent my fellow artists at the festival. It is so special that a Festival of Arts artist is included in the show. Many people may not fully understand the competitive process involved in being part of the festival. We labor for months to create works of art that will be judged by jurors and critiqued by the public. Thank you to the Pageant of the Masters for this great honor.”
In addition to Hoehn’s paintings, Gold Coast will bring to life a variety of California’s most celebrated art and historical landmarks. Highlights include Claude Monet’s “In the Woods at Giverny” from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Diego Rivera’s striking mural, “Allegory of California,” in San Francisco. The Norton Simon Museum will be represented with Edgar Degas’ famous bronze sculpture, “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen.” From Hearst Castle, audiences will marvel at Emmanuel Fremiet’s gilt bronze “Chariot of Minerva” and the Roman Pool sculptures, designed by Julia Morgan.
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. Tickets start at $47 per person. For updates, follow the Festival on social media @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.