Adventure, art, and ancient stories come alive this summer at the University of the Pacific’s Reynolds Gallery as it unveils Tony Foster: Watercolour Diaries from the Green River, a breathtaking exhibition of original watercolors, artifacts, and field notes from the world-renowned British explorer-artist.
Opening July 7 and running through August 8, 2025, this extraordinary showcase features 16 large-scale watercolor works painted on-site along the wild and scenic Green River, which flows through Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Visitors can experience Foster’s unique approach to plein air painting—an immersive blend of art, travel diary, geology, and environmental commentary.
Foster, known for his epic “Journeys” that span remote corners of the globe, began this Green River expedition in 2018 and completed it in 2023. What makes his work remarkable is not just the paintings themselves, but the stories embedded within them—maps, journal entries, and symbolic objects accompany each piece, offering a multi-sensory window into the landscape's deep history and present-day fragility.
From dramatic red canyons and fossil-rich terrain to wildlife sightings and personal reflections on the trail, Foster’s work captures both the grandeur of nature and its quiet, intimate moments. Each painting reflects the artist’s deep reverence for the land and its stories—some of which date back to human settlements from the 7th century BCE.
Adding a local academic touch, the exhibit also features geological specimens curated by Pacific Geosciences professors Lydia Fox and Gene Pearson, linking Foster’s artistic exploration with scientific insight.
The public is invited to a free reception and gallery talk on July 24 from 6 to 8 PM, featuring guest speakers Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz and Anne Baxter from The Foster Museum, which originally organized and generously loaned the exhibition.
Located at 1071 Mendocino Avenue, on the south side of the Pacific campus, the Reynolds Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free.
Whether you’re an art lover, nature enthusiast, or armchair explorer, this is your chance to follow the brushstrokes of one man’s unforgettable journey down one of America’s most iconic rivers—all without leaving Stockton.
For more information, contact Lisa Cooperman at (209) 932-3254 or visit pacific.edu/calendar.
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