Art in the Adobes Festival: Artists and Architecture

The Art in the Adobes Festival is the first annual event to spotlight both the tradition of the adobes and the impressive art of this region. This important new cultural festival features treasured paintings and sculptures, rarely available for public viewing, on display in small thematic exhibitions, staged in historically significant buildings across a four-block area of scenic downtown Monterey.

This year’s theme: Artists & Architecture. For nearly 150 years, artists and architects have been drawn to the Monterey Peninsula by its spectacular settings and also by its Old World architectural heritage: two Spanish-era churches of quarried stone along with dozens of Mexican-era adobe structures in picturesque stages of decline and renovation.

One of the most beautiful of the City’s treasures has been chosen as this year’s iconic image: “Custom House” by renowned artist Mary Evelyn McCormick, who lived and painted in Monterey. Additionally, many paintings by artists have been selected for display in the Curated Venues.

The third annual Art in the Adobes Festival highlights painters who have found inspiration in buildings and gardens – both ancient and modern.
All new exhibitions at Primary Festival Venues include:

“Olden-Day Monterey” – paintings at Casa Serrano
“Junipero Serra & the Franciscan Legacy” – paintings at Captain Cooper’s Adobe
“California’s Monet” – a retrospective of architectural masterpieces and other genres by Impressionist painter Mary Evelyn McCormick (1862 – 1948) at Casa Gutierrez
“Bringing Home the Light” or “From Monet’s Garden to Monterey” – painted photographs by garden designer Elizabeth Murray at Casa Diaz
Previously unseen photo-reproductions of the Rodriquez/Stevenson Adobe – at Casa Blanca Interiors & Antiquities, design showrooms of Frances Adler Elkins, 1927-1947.

A dozen affiliated venues – including San Carlos Cathedral & Museum, Orientations (the historic Marsh Building), the Museum of Art, Lara-Soto Adobe, Casa Amesti, Museum of Monterey, Custom House and the First Theater will offer exhibitions and activities. The House of Four Winds will offer refreshments and a book signing with Nelda Hirsh, author of the new book, “A Bohemian Life; M. Evelyn McCormick.” Associated activities will include the Polk Street Paseo, a plein air competition, display and sale, living history, demonstrations and music.

A special Opening Reception & Preview will launch Art in the Adobes Festival 2013 in historic Monterey on Friday evening, September 13. The Opening Reception will allow attendees the opportunity to socialize at Orientations, the historic Marsh building at the entrance to historic Monterey, before the public opening of the exhibition. Attendees will enjoy music, hors d’oeuvres, wine and refreshments in this lovely historic building. The opening reception will be followed by a special presentation at Monterey Museum of Art – La Mirada by renowned choir, “I Cantori di Carmel”.

Friday, September 13 is ‘Discovery Day’ at Casa Gutierrez for student group tours that will include participating in a hands-on activity at the Museum of Art and a tour of Youth Arts Collective.

On Saturday and Sunday, September 14 – 15, ticket-holders will choose their own itinerary as they stroll through a six-block area of the Old Monterey National Historic Landmark District. Tickets for the walking tour include admission to 13 historic buildings. Primary Venues belonging to California State Parks (Diaz Adobe & Casa Cooper at Cooper-Molera Adobe, Casa Gutierrez, Stevenson House, Custom House and the First Theater) will be hosting weekend-only exhibits developed specifically for Art in the Adobes Festival 2013. Weekend-only exhibitions include:

Bringing Home the Light (Cooper-Molera Adobe)
Casa Blanca, Frances Adler Elkins (Stevenson House)
California’s Monet (Casa Gutierrez)
Olden Day Monterey (Casa Serrano)

The Affiliated Venues including galleries at the Monterey Museum of Art – Pacific Street and Museum of Monterey as well as Casa Amesti, House of Four Winds, Lara-Soto Adobe, Colton Hall Musuem and Few Memorial Hall, Custom House, First Theater will feature long-term exhibits or related activities. Expert lectures will be held twice each day.

These historic buildings are a link to the setting that drew some of California’s greatest artists to Monterey in the late 19th century. Painters, sculptors and photographers were attracted to the dramatic and varied natural setting, enticing climate, and picturesque vestiges of a storied past, and enjoyed rollicking good times in the company of other artists. Their work is among the most important in the cultural history of the West Coast.

Other new features of this year’s festival include:

On Sunday, the Polk Street Paseo: a traffic-free space for snacking and socializing will feature many new activities including live music, living history, and the second annual plein air painters competition, display and sale.

MORE INFORMATION
info@artintheadobes.org
Tel (831) 241-5504

MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Critchley
Boots Road Group LLC
(831) 612-9200 ext 3
contact@bootsroad.com