About
History:
The Museum of Fred (MOF) was established in 2000 to promote awareness of the contributions made by amateur artists to American cultural heritage by showcasing the amateur art collection of Fred Beshid. The paintings in the collection were primarily purchased from thrift stores in the greater Los Angeles area. The collection is a celebration of the diversity of southern California and the potential of art to express our common humanity. In 2010, MOF was upgraded after extensive peer review and self-study.
Mission Statement: The Museum of Fred endeavors to educate the public through the acquisition, conservation and exhibition of American amateur art in all media in order to inspire wonder and encourage cross-cultural awareness.
Bio for Fred Beshid:
Fred Beshid is a Los Angeles-based writer, artist, curator and filmmaker. He is the product of the California public school system and the 1980s Los Angeles punk rock scene. He is the creator of the award-winning Museum of Fred, an online museum featuring his collection of thrift store paintings. He was the director of Random Gallery where he curated numerous contemporary art exhibitions. He has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and CBC's Freestyle radio programs. In his free time he serves as a volunteer arts administrator. In the past he has served on the board of directors for the Foundation for Art Resources (FAR) and on selection committees for public art. He currently serves on the Development Committee for 826LA, a literacy project. He can be reached at museumoffred at gmail dot com
