Carmel-by-the-Sea Art Scene Continues to Inspire

  • February 9, 2016
Carmel-by-the-Sea Art Scene Continues to Inspire
Fittingly, the late landscape artist painter Francis McComas called this area “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” while Jack London wrote of Carmel's burgeoning artists' colony in his 1913 novel, The Valley of the Moon.

This is a particularly special year to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea as the village is celebrating its Centennial. One of the many special related events is the Carmel Art Festival, scheduled for May 13-15, which will again feature a juried painting competition, silent auction, and art sale, with proceeds going to support local art youth programs. While the Festival is held on Mission Street between Ocean and Sixth Avenues, many of the downtown galleries also are scheduling shows and demonstrations to coincide with the event.

Over the decades, while countless artists brought creative energy to town–names like Ferdinand Burgdorff, Percy Gray and William Frederic Ritschel –the Carmel Art Association gave it aesthetic structure, stature, and sustenance. The second oldest art cooperative in the country, the association has defined Carmel-by-the-Sea's art community for nearly 90 years. Both the Art Association and Carl Cherry Center for the Arts have scheduled exhibits celebrating the works of local high school students:

  • “For the Love of Art” is scheduled throughout February at Carmel Art Association's gallery, located on Dolores Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

  • “Thinking Out Loud” runs from March 5 to April 1 at Cherry Center for the Arts, Guadalupe Street and Fourth Avenue. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.


The ever-popular Carmel Art Tour is a fun and informal 90-minute guided walking tour of the town's art galleries and their painting, sculpture, art glass, and photography, from historic to contemporary. Advance reservations are required, and available by visiting www.carmelarttours.com.

It's never been easier to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is just a 10-minute drive away and served by direct flights to and from San Francisco (SFO, United Express), Los Angeles (LAX, American Eagle/United Express), Las Vegas (LAS, Allegiant Air), Phoenix (PHX, U.S. Airways), and San Diego (SAN, Alaska Airlines). Alaska Airlines recently began daily non-stop service to and from Los Angeles (LAX). San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 75 miles north.

For more information, visit CarmelCalifornia.com. For more information and a short video on “Carmel: Artist Colony,” visit www.carmelcalifornia.com/artist-colony.htm.