Art Talk: An Evening with Brian Rutenberg

Art Talk: An Evening with Brian Rutenberg

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Time: 4-7 PM

Tickets: $85

Includes: Seated Artist Talk (45 min.) · Audience Q&A · Hosted Wine Reception & Catered Bites

Acclaimed painter, author and educator to share an inside look at his life, work and creative process, followed by an audience Q&A and wine reception.

Woodward Contemporary welcomes celebrated American painter Brian Rutenberg for a special evening of art and conversation at the gallery’s historic Old Town San Diego location.

Limited to 75 guests, the event will offer a rare opportunity to hear directly from Rutenberg as he presents an illustrated talk exploring his artistic journey, influences, and the ideas and experiences behind his distinctive, color-charged paintings. The approximately 45-minute seated presentation will be followed by an open audience Q&A, giving guests the opportunity to engage directly with the artist. The evening will conclude with a hosted wine reception and catered light bites, allowing guests to continue the conversation with Rutenberg in the intimate setting of Woodward Contemporary.

Known for his richly layered, expressive paintings inspired by the landscape and light of his native South Carolina Lowcountry, Rutenberg has built an acclaimed career spanning more than four decades. His work explores the intersection of abstraction, memory, place and the natural world, combining intense color and physicality with a deep connection to the history of painting.

Rutenberg received a BFA from the College of Charleston and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and is held in numerous museum, corporate and private collections. He is also the author of Clear Seeing Place and has developed a wide following among artists and art lovers through his lectures, writings and engaging discussions of painting and the creative process.

The October event reflects Woodward Contemporary’s mission to bring artists, collectors and the community together through meaningful encounters with contemporary art.

Signed copies of Rutenberg’s book, Clear Seeing Place, will also be available.

About Brian Rutenberg

Brian received his BFA in 1987 from the College of Charleston and his MFA in 1989 from the School of Visual Arts, New York. He is a Fulbright Scholar, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, a Basil Alkazzi USA Award recipient, an Irish Museum of Modern Art visiting artist program participant, and has had over two hundred and fifty exhibitions throughout North America. Rutenberg's paintings are included in such museum collections as Yale University Art Gallery, The Butler Institute of American Art, Bronx Museum of Art, Peabody Essex Museum of Art, Greenville County Museum of Art, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, South Carolina State Museum, and many others. His popular YouTube videos "Brian Rutenberg Studio Visits" are viewed daily by people all over the world. Radius Books published a full color monograph in 2008. Brian's book, Clear Seeing Place, was released in October 2016 and was an Amazon #1 bestseller. His new monograph, A Little Long Time, published by Forum Gallery in 2019 is also an Amazon bestseller. Brian received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the College of Charleston where he delivered the 2018 commencement address.

Brian lives and works in New York City with his wife Kathryn.

Links

Website

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/brianrutenberg

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/brian.rutenberg

Art Talk Cancellation Policy

• 31+ DAY CANCELLATION

  Cancellations made 31 days before Brian Rutenberg's Art Talk will receive a full refund, less any fees* paid by Woodward Contemporary and a $10 processing fee.  *This includes but is not limited to credit card and Wix Events processing fees. Attendees' cancellations must be submitted in writing to hello@woodwardcontemporary.com.  Do not leave cancellation notices on voicemail.

  
  

• 30 DAY STUDENT CANCELLATION

  Any cancellations made 30 days or less in advance of Brian Rutenberg's Art Talk will receive no refund,  unless there is a wait list, and another attendee takes that place; then the attendee shall receive a full refund less any fees* paid by Woodward Contemporary and a $10 processing fee.  *This  includes but is not limited to credit card and Wix Events processing fees. Attendees' cancellations must be submitted in writing to hello@woodwardcontemporary.com. Do not leave cancellation notices on voicemail.