If a picture paints a thousand words, the current installations at NUMU speak volumes. These exhibitions are visual treats.
Locals know this is not a large museum, yet it captures the essence of where we live—and beyond what the imagination can conjure on its own. These well-curated shows are worth meandering through.
“I Know A Place”
The community-donated memorabilia from the 1960s came to life with the “I Know a Place” project. Viewers can take in fashion, art and photography from the era while creating modern memories. As this is NUMU’s 60th anniversary year, why not take a short jaunt into the recent history of the place we call home.
In the Spotlight Gallery: “Resonance”
Salon Jane, an invitation only-gathering of photography artists, using photography as the main medium. This salon-gathering explores new techniques using the tradition of Ansel Adams, (gelatin silver prints-developed by Adams himself) with a style of “straight photography,” among other things. This is a modernist direction of using a photographic approach with individual interpretations. Salon Jane brings together ideas and feelings of an intimate sharp focus, deep depth of field with massive dynamic ranges of tones. It is a different way to use cameras.
“Resonance” is “a phenomenon where an external force or vibration causes an object or system to vibrate with maximum amplitude. It happens when the frequency of the external force matches the object’s natural frequency,” per Merriam Webster.
Here the “resonance” comes across in varied—and exciting—ways. But the Salon Jane installation will speak to everyone differently. The artistic translations might resonate with you on a new level—or resound within on a deeper one. “While each artist independently develops their own artwork, the Salon’s ongoing dialogues draw unexpected connections and resonance between each other’s ideas and aesthetics,” reads the brochure.
Open through June 28.
Artists of Salon Jane
Martha Casanave “Explorations Through a Fabricated Microscope: A Compendium Of Tears”; Susan Hyde Greene “Heartbreaking Beauty”’ Jane Olin “Trees-Sentient Beings?”; Anna Rheim—handmade books, photos, paintings and paper arts; Robin V. Robinson “In the Liminal”; Robin Ward “Streaming Mystic.”
Main Gallery ArtNow 2026: “Before/Between/Beyond”
Every year NUMU invites high school students to submit works of art. This year’s award-winning, juried show asked the students to respond to “Before/Between/Beyond.” Students from Palo Alto to Gilroy submitted their works and gained experience in a museum setting. This year, 97 student artists are showcasing their visual talents in the exhibit. The artistic responses depict everything from war-ravaged Vietnam, to non-traditional self-portraits. Open through July 19.
Upcoming: A Salon Jane Tour, Sunday, June 7,11:30 am-12:30pm.
New Museum Los Gatos is located at the Civic Center Plaza at 106 E. Main St., Los Gatos.
