The Coronado Public Library is hosting a reception for the nine artists participating in its “Art through the Generations” exhibit. The event, set for 3 p.m. Saturday April 6, is a chance for the public to meet the artists whose watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil drawings and other works are on display through May 31.

The reception is also a chance for the artists to meet each other and get reacquainted. They are linked through their art teacher, Esther Painter Hagstrom, who taught art at Coronado High School from 1939 until her premature death in 1951.

The artists are: John Clampitt of Coronado, Coronado High School class of 1954; Sarah Mott Durand of Ashland, Oregon, class of 1948; Lois Drake Ferguson of San Diego, class of 1953; Patty Murphy Jepson of Coronado, class of 1948; John “Jack” Minchin of Encinitas, class of 1948; Dolores Bridges Mote of El Cajon, class of 1945; Doris Klindt Naccarato of Coronado, class of 1951; Hildegarde Jaeger Stubbs of Encinitas, who finished high school in Santa Monica; and Celeste Walkup Usler, of Puyallup, Washington, class of 1951.

Suzy Hagstrom, a journalist in Point Loma, organized “Art through the Generations” to honor her paternal grandmother, Esther Painter Hagstrom, whom she never met. “She died before I was born,” Suzy Hagstrom explained. “Connecting with her students was a way to get to know her. Now the students have a chance to connect with each other.”

Hagstrom is helping organize the reception for the artists, who attended Coronado High School with her late parents, Barbara Lou Eagles Hagstrom and Robert Painter Hagstrom, classes 1950 and 1948 respectively.

“The reception will be like a mini-Coronado High School reunion,” said Christian Esquevin, director of library services for the Coronado Public Library. “Some of these artists haven’t seen each other for more than 50 years.”

The library will become the permanent home of Esther Painter Hagstrom’s watercolors, prints and other works. The exhibit highlights the importance of art in education. Many of the paintings of Hagstrom and her students are inspired by San Diego’s timeless landscapes, yet each artist has a unique style.

The reception will be held in the Winn Room of the Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave. in Coronado. More information is available by calling Esquevin at 619-522-7395 and Suzy Hagstrom, 619-758-0532. The Web site is: