Janet Hilbert, who together with husband Mark Hilbert founded the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University in Orange, passed away at her home in Newport Beach on Dec. 7. She was 83.
“Jan was a remarkable individual whose passion for the arts and education left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her,” Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said in a statement.
Since collecting their first California Scene paintings in 1992, Mark and Jan Hilbert built one of the most comprehensive collections of Californian art in the world. This collection was first opened to the public as the Hilbert Museum of California Art in 2016.
The museum grew from its original 7,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet this year.