120 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 GALLERIES, MUSEUMS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS American Art Gallery The name is broad, but it’s apt here. The gallery prides itself on presenting both blue-chip and emerging artists. There is a surprising variety of contemporary painting, including works by Hal Frater, Shana Wilson, Innocent Chikezie, Gail Lehman and more. Dolores Street between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 236-8167, americanartgalleries.com Carl Cherry Center for the Arts Founded by Carmel artist Jeanne D’Orge in 1948, the gallery, theater and gardens of this storied Carmel nonprofit have showcased a brilliant array of theater, poetry, films, music and art. Many of their exhibitions are also available online. Corner of 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. (831) 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org Carmel Art Association Carmel’s oldest gallery was established in 1927 and since then, this nonprofit has been owned and operated by 100 or so local artists from all over the county, with frequently changing exhibits. Find ubiquitous plein air works, as well as abstract works, photographs, sculptures and more. Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. (831) 250-3347, carmelart.org Center for Photographic Art Launched by iconic artists Ansel Adams, Cole Weston, and Wynn Bullock in 1967, CPA is a West Coast epicenter dedicated to the art and craft of photography. The member-driven gallery often spotlights works from legends of black-and-white film photography but also brings in fresh perspectives from emerging artists and a number of speakers. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th. (831) 625-5181, photography.org Coast Big Sur Come for the view from this gallery/cafe/ gift shop overlooking the Pacific, stay for the artwork by local artists and automobile memorabilia, plus a cup of coffee or a meal. The original Coast Gallery, founded in 1958, spent its early days as a refuge for artists and writers who migrated to Big Sur after World War II. 49901 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2301, coastbigsur.com Dawson Cole Fine Art This gallery presents Richard MacDonald’s sculptural work and maintains ties with his nearby studio. Originally established in 1993, it specializes in contemporary and modern sculpture, drawings, prints, and unique works on paper by American and European masters. With a special concentration in contemporary, early modern and West Coast regionalism, the gallery offers works by Chuck Close, Wayne Thiebaud, Donald Sultan, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Jian Wang and other notables. Lincoln and 6th, Carmel. (831) 624-8200, dawsoncolefineart.com Gallery 21 This gallery is full of Eyvind Earle’s expressionistic, fantastical, illustration-style landscape serigraphs and paintings, drawings ARts & Culture Considering the pantheon of talent associated with Monterey County, a thriving arts scene is to be expected. But the variety available may exceed expectations. There are events with an international following, such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and Carmel Bach Festival. There are those that draw crowds eager to hear the hottest reggae sounds, such as the California Roots Music & Art Festival. But there are local bands playing at more intimate stages, as well as a number of innovative theater companies taking to stages that are traditional, lodged in the woods or even confined to a bar and stripped of the burdens of a large production. Throughout the year there are book release parties, poetry readings, history lectures, art exhibits and more. In fact, full days can be devoted to tours of area galleries. The arts in Monterey County are for everyone. Carmel Art Association
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