May 7–June 4, 2022

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 7, 5:30–7:30 PM

JOSEPH CLAYES III GALLERY & ROTUNDA GALLERY

Timeless: Black & White Portraits of Joan Agajanian Quinn

The Athenaeum brings together portraits of journalist and Los Angeles art collector Joan Agajanian Quinn spanning five decades, all by different artists and united in the medium of black and white. Luminaries including Andy Warhol, Claire Falkenstein, Ed Ruscha, Antonio Lopez, Helmut Newton, and Steven Arnold will be exhibited. Quinn’s collection of portraits consists of over 300 artworks gifted by artist friends who have painted, sculpted, and photographed her image in their style. 

Quinn is the co-host of Beverly Hills View and has been the producer and host of the Joan Quinn Profiles for over 35 years. She was appointed West Coast editor of Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine and was the society editor known as Culture “Cween” of Hearst’s Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Often referred to as the Gertrude Stein of her day, Quinn, with late husband, attorney John J. Quinn, and twin daughters, Jennifer and Amanda, has been a supporter of the arts, notably Southern California contemporary art, for over 60 years. The Los Angeles native was the recipient of the 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was appointed to and served on the boards of the California Film Commission and the California Arts Council. Quinn currently serves on the executive committee of the Armenian International Women’s Association and the Cedars-Sinai Hospital Arts Advisory Council. She is Vice President of the L.A. Music Center's Blue Ribbon women’s support group and a trustee for the Armenian Museum of America in Boston.

Curated by Erin Katgely.

Helmut Newton, Portrait of Joan, 1984, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches

The exhibition can be viewed in the Joseph Clayes III Gallery and the Rotunda Gallery at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library (1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037) during open hours, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.