Director's Desk

Summer 2026 – The Art of Place

Did you know that Monterey Museum of Art (MMA) is devoted to celebrating the stories of California art? From the revered plein air traditions of the Monterey Peninsula to the bold, creative visionaries who have shaped the state's cultural identity for generations, MMA is grounded in the art of place. 

This summer, MMA turns its gaze to the landscapes, communities, and artists that have defined the Monterey Bay Area as a place of artistic imagination, preservation, and possibility. The Art of Place presents five exhibitions that together offer a rare opportunity to discover California art at its best. The guest curators devised shows with deeply meaningful work rooted in innovation.  

Each exhibition in The Art of Place reflects MMA's renewed mission: to inspire creativity, connect communities, and celebrate the stories of California art. Collectively, they affirm our vision of a vital future enlivened by the voices that have shaped this remarkable region. 

Mary DeNeale Morgan: Doyenne of the Carmel Art Colony honors one of the Monterey Peninsula's most beloved artists, whose intimate studies of cypress, coastline, and wildflower meadows defined a view of California that endures to this day. Morgan's work reminds us that art identified with a specific place can speak to something universal—stories that inspire a sense of wonder and awe. Guest curated by Robert W. Edwards. 

Viewers are also invited into the quiet, contemplative world of Jane Olin: Some Trees, guest curated by Cydney Payton. Olin, a contemporary Carmel Valley photographer, exhibits luminous, evocative photographs of trees that encourage dialogue with the natural world. Olin's work is at once sensitive, personal, and broadly resonant. It inspires us to slow down and truly see the beauty we move through every day.  

A Visual History of Art and Architecture in Monterey traces the rich and layered history of the Monterey Peninsula. Drawing on MMA's distinguished permanent collection alongside loans from regional cultural institutions and private collections, this exhibition lauds the generations of artists and architects who made Monterey one of California's most enduring centers of artistic life. It is a walk through time, admiration, and artistic expression; ultimately, it is a show about honoring place. Guest Curated by Cynthia Wagner Weick and Joaquin Turner. 

Celebrating California Art: Crafting Culture and Tradition in Monterey showcases highlights from MMA's permanent collection, affirming the Museum's role as a trusted steward of California's artistic heritage. Featuring beloved works spanning style and medium, creations once overlooked, this exhibition is a testament to the diversity of California's imaginative legacy.  

Lastly, this summer also brings a special presentation of New Acquisition: Arthur Mathews' The Bathers. This significant painting by Arthur F. Mathews (1860–1945), one of the leading figures of California art, inspires an exhibition focused on Mathews and his wife, Lucia Kleinhans. Together, the Mathews helped to define the California Decorative Style through their famed Furniture Shop and advocacy for the Arts and Crafts movement. Their work also influenced the rebuilding of San Francisco, post-1906 earthquake. This show highlights critical creative foundations that remain inspirational today. 

The Art of Place would not be possible without the generosity of those who share our belief in the transformative power of art and community. The Museum is especially grateful to Lila and James Thorsen, Kevin Cartwright and Stephen Eimer, Forbes Keaton, Kathleen and Robert Seibel, Roseanne Pierre, Jacqueline and Tully Wiedman, and Alicia A. Swithenbank, for the Arthur Mathews' acquisition, to the Spring Fundraiser/Patrons' Dinner Co-Chairs, Caroline Scott Low and Lynn Hayford, and The Art of Place donors Kevin Cartwright and Stephen Eimer, Susan DuCoeur, Lynn and Michael Hayford, Louise O'Connor, and Paula and Terry Trotter. We also wish to thank Spring Fundraiser donors Incy Brooks, Cannery Row Company, Diane Coward, Jean Givens, Peter Horikoshi, Karen Patton, and Caroline Scott Low. We are grateful to MMA exhibition sponsors and supporters whose commitment makes the Museum's cause successful. 

Now more than ever, MMA depends on the generosity of caring individuals who believe in our mission. As we look to a vibrant future, enlivened and inspired by the stories and voices of California art, the Museum invites you to consider deepening your support. Your gift and partnership ensure that we continue to serve Monterey County communities and visitors, along with artists and art lovers, for generations to come. 

With appreciation,  

Corey Madden
Executive Director, Monterey Museum of Art