New Exhibit! Cora Wright's 150th Birthday

11/2/2018

This November's Arts Alive will feature the opening of a new exhibit of artwork by Cora Wright in celebration of her 150th birthday this December. Below is a short telling of Cora's life in Eureka with her husband Charles and son, Carl.

Cora Wright (1868-1948) was born in Martinez, CA and was later trained by Manuel Valencia, a well-known painter of landscapes and Mission scenes in Marin County. Cora moved to Eureka in 1888 after marrying Charles Wright, a jeweler originally from Michigan. Charles ran a successful jewelry shop while Cora ran a painting studio out of the house that Charles had built, which still stands today at 1230 H Street in Eureka. The Dutch Colonial style home was built in 1905 with custom stained glass windows designed by Charles Wright.

The Wright family home

Cora taught classes in easel and ceramic painting in her home studio, and produced a plethora of her own works featuring still life subjects, redwoods, and scenery from the Klamath River area. She was very popular in Humboldt County, with her works collected by Sarah Carson (wife of lumber baron William Carson) and museum founder Cecile Clarke. Some of her artwork was even displayed in the Humboldt County exhibits at state and international exhibitions, including the Panama Pacific International Exposition (1915), California State Fair (1926) and the Golden Gate International Exposition (1939).

After the passing of Cora and Charles, the home was owned by State Senator Arthur and Dorothy Way. It was restored by Sandra and Gerry Peterson and 2001, the Clarke Museum loaned out a number of Cora Wright’s works to the owners of her house, so the works could be displayed for viewing during a museum fundraiser that was held in the home. The paintings have since been returned to the museum and are on display in celebration of Cora Wright’s 150th birthday.

Cora, Charles, Carl and their family dog

Some of Cora Wright's Work on Display in this Exhibit:

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1/21/2026 01:49:49 am

It is wonderful to see Cora Wright’s vibrant legacy celebrated on her 150th birthday, especially knowing that her former home and studio at 13th and H Streets still stand as a testament to her lifelong dedication to teaching and painting our local landscapes.