Artist Jim DeWitt unveils new series of America’s Cup paintings

by Christina Zirker on 12 Jun 2013 New paintings by DeWitt, Artist-in-Residence at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, capture the beauty and excitement of the 34th America’s Cup races and competitors (Point Richmond, CA, June 10, 2013)--Artist Jim DeWitt is releasing a new series of oil paintings that depict the 34th America’s Cup on San Francisco Bay. DeWitt was named the America’s Cup artist-in-residence in 2012 by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (host club for the 34th America’s Cup). His new work documents the year-long build-up to competition finals; first he painted AC45s, and now he is capturing AC72s, the largest of the competitive sailing yachts, as they vie for the world’s most prestigious sailing honor, the America’s Cup. DeWitt’s work will be the primary focus of the Richmond Art Center’s upcoming exhibit, 'Race for the Cup,' which will include artistic representations and historical artifacts that demonstrate human and technological endeavors in the field of sailing. The exhibit runs June 15th through August 23rd, with a reception on July 20th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Richmond Art Center (2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94804). DeWitt’s work can also be seen at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Museum beginning June 27th (located at the foot of Polk Street at 900 Beach Street, San Francisco CA 94109). And he has donated a painting to the museum’s Maritime Heritage Awards Gala and auction to be held on June 29th to support the preservation of Pacific Coast maritime history. DeWitt will be a featured artist as well as the official poster artist at the 61st Sausalito Art Festival on Labor Day Weekend, August 31st through September second, 2013; his painting 'Ducks in a Row' depicting America’s Cup practice boats racing under the Golden Gate Bridge was chosen to serve as poster art for the acclaimed juried festival. DeWitt will unveil just completed paintings from the Louis Vuitton Cup (which will run July fourth - August 30th), the challenger series that determines who will race Team Oracle in the America’s Cup Finals in September. DeWitt’s America’s Cup paintings mark a new phase in the octogenarian’s long and varied career as an artist, sailor and nautical innovator. 'I’m 83 years old, and my entire life’s work has been inspired by the art and sport of sailing. I am honored and tickled to have been named artist-in-residence by the Golden Gate Yacht Club as I capture the magic of this history-making event,' said DeWitt. As the action unfolds during the America’s Cup racing, he will paint on-site at the America’s Cup Club 72 hospitality suite for sponsors. Completed paintings can be viewed at website About Jim DeWitt Jim DeWitt has gained broad recognition as one of America's premier marine artists with exhibitions in galleries and museums worldwide. A former sailmaker and competitive sailor, Jim understands the mechanics and the thrill of racing; he is uniquely qualified to paint the subject. Jim's paintings are on permanent display in many yacht clubs, including the St. Francis Yacht Club and Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. He was named the No. 1 American Marine Artist by the America's Cup Gallery in San Diego in 1992. Before retiring in 1983 to concentrate on painting full-time, Jim owned and operated DeWitt Sails, one of the top racing sail lofts on San Francisco Bay, renowned for custom sails. During his years as a sailmaker, he also gained international recognition as a winning yachtsman and artist. In 1963, he was the first West Coast skipper to capture the coveted Mallory Cup, awarded to the winner of the US Men's Sailing Championship. In 1992, he took first place in the International Masters Regatta in San Francisco, sailed in J 24s. And in 2003, coming full circle, he captured the second-place trophy in the Master Mariner's Regatta in San Francisco in a boat patterned after one built by his father in the 1930s in the family’s backyard. Jim inherited his father’s fascination with boat building and has designed several boats featuring first-of-their-kind sailing innovations. Jim was born in Oakland, California in 1930. He grew up with the San Francisco Bay as his backyard and his affinities for art and sailing converged early; as a five year-old, he began drawing pictures of the sailboat his father was building and dreamed of someday becoming her skipper. Jim studied art at the California College of the Arts and the Los Angeles Art Center (now the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena). Jim lives in the bayside hamlet of Point Richmond with his wife Sallie and their dog, Amber. His daughter Pamela DeWitt runs a custom framing shop where she sells originals and prints of his paintings. He is the grandfather of two and great grandfather of one. For more information, please visit website