Golden State Today

UC Davis is concluding its Year of the Eggheads celebration this weekend, coinciding with the university's annual Picnic Day. For this final event, they are hosting an Arneson Egghead Collection pop-up shop and an egg decoration station at the Silo Courtyard. The pop-up shop is a collaborative effort with the Craft Center, offering Aggies the opportunity to paint and take home wooden eggs for free. This event will run on Friday from 4-6 p.m. and will extend into Picnic Day on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Aggies are encouraged to visit the Silo Courtyard for big sales along with bucket hat bundles and markdowns on Egghead merchandise. All purchases of $30 or more from the pop-up shop will include a free Egghead gift while supplies last. Additionally, 25% discounts on Egghead Collection items will be available at the UC Davis Store downtown and at the Memorial Union on Picnic Day.

The Year of the Eggheads began on April 4, 2024, with the launch of a microsite dedicated to the art and legacy of Robert Arneson and his Egghead sculptures. Various events and exhibits have highlighted the year, including the “Sunnyside Up: 30 Years of the Eggheads” visual display and “Hatched: The Making of Robert Arneson’s Eggheads” exhibit at the Manetti Shrem Museum. The year-long celebration also included the premiere of the short documentary "Unexpected Legends: Arneson, Eggheads and Arts at UC Davis."

In early 2025, a significant contribution of over $20 million from philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem was announced, the largest gift to the College of Letters and Science and the arts at UC Davis. This gift will help develop the Maria Manetti Shrem Art District, a center aimed at promoting creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Aggies and the public are invited to join in this concluding celebration and be part of this historic year at UC Davis. More updates and future activities related to the Eggheads can be found on the event’s official website.