Monterey Museum of Art
Musings... NEWSLETTER WINTER/SPRING 2024
ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS HOLIDAY SEASON TO REMEMBER SEEING CHICANX ARTIST HIGHLIGHT COLLECTION HIGHLIGHT OUR FUTURE UPCOMING EVENTS
Musings...
Musings is a seasonal publication from the Monterey Museum of Art.
Our Mission
The Monterey Museum of Art cultivates curiosity in the visual arts and engages community with the diversity of California art—past, present, and future.
Our Vision
The Monterey Museum of Art is a collaborative center where art and community engage.
Board of Trustees Thomas Donnelly President
John A. Greenwald President Emeritus
Lisa Rheinheimer Treasurer
Adriana Hayward, PsyD Secretary
Monika Campbell Laura Gamble Lydia Graham Kristen Huston Heidi Quinn Caroline Scott Low DeBorah Silguero, PhD Eric C. Smith, PE Lila Thorsen, PhD
Chief Editor / Writer / Project Manager Candace Christiansen Contributing Writers Nicole Estabrooks, Daisy Alejandre, John Rexine, and Ella Patel Art Director / Senior Designer Maureen Halligan Photography Patrick Tregenza Photography, Randy Tunnell Photography, and Kyle Warren ©Monterey Museum of Art, Published February 2024 To report a misprint or error, please contact pr@montereyart.org
William G. Hyland† Trustee Emeritus
Craig L. Johnson Trustee Emeritus
Photo: Patrick Tregenza Photo
Museum Hours Thursdays – Sundays (11:00 am – 5:00 pm) Visit montereyart.org for tickets and more information.
Cover Image Patssi Valdez (b. 1951), Blue Venus, 2019, ceramic and mixed media, 12 x 4 x 3 in. The Durón Family Collection. ©Patssi Valdez
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From the Executive Director First off, our sincere thanks to the more than 3,500 members and new friends who made Iluminado, our participatory holiday art installation such a huge success. Whether you folded paper cranes, doodled on our gallery walls, or donated to win a Miniature, we are so grateful to you for contributing to our growing creative community. Winter is a time of growth in California. As the rains come, we witness the fields and hillsides spring to life—and the palate of our landscape transform from gold to vivid green inspiring generations of regional artists. After a fall season focused on the spiritual nature of art, MMA also transforms to offer four new exhibits that examine how place and identity influence artistic expression in California, with a particular focus on the peoples and lands of our region. Three of MMA's winter exhibits explore the deep-rooted connections between California’s agricultural heritage and its artists. The poignant visuals of Dorothea Lange’s photography highlight the enduring fortitude of migrant workers in times of hardship, while Joe Ramos’ photo essay reflects on connections between generations of his family that live and work in the Salinas Valley. Harvesting California, our permanent collection show, reveals the transformation of people and landscape, as well as shifting aesthetic and social perspectives from the 1930s to the present day. We shift focus in Seeing Chicanx: The Durón Family Collection, to offer visitors an expansive view of Los Angeles through contemporary Chicanx artists’ eyes, as well as offering a rare opportunity to witness how the passion and commitment of two “citizen collectors” have impacted the art world. Assembled over forty years by lawyer and judge, Armando Durón and his wife, Mary Salinas Durón, the Durón Family Collection is comprised of nearly 700 artworks and thousands of related documents and books. Curator Karen Mary Davalos has organized an impressive exhibition featuring 84 works by more than 40 Chicanx artists and worked with staff at our museum to produce an illuminating catalogue. As the season advances, MMA will host its second annual Block Party on Saturday, April 6th. Come experience the festive and delicious atmosphere that we create along Calle Principal with the rest of the community, and don’t forget to buy tickets to our Dance Party. This year’s commissioned Block Party artist, Jane Kim, not only lends her artwork to our Block Party posters, but also will transform MMA’s education level with new murals and artworks, one of which will be created with the participation of students in our Creative Pathways program. These marvelous programs and exhibitions would not be possible without generous support provided by community members who believe in the power of art to connect across our communities. The Museum is especially grateful to this Winter Season’s patrons including AltaMed Health Services, Barbara Schilling and Richard Carr, Jacki June Horton, and Judith and Frank Marshall. Looking forward,
Corey Madden Executive Director, Monterey Museum of Art
Photo: Patrick Tregenza Photo
A Holiday Season to Remember Iluminado – art connecting community 6
As we jump into 2024, brimming with excitement for another year of incredible art and programming, it’s pivotal to pause and embrace a moment of reflection, a key theme of MMA’s inaugural Iluminado exhibition. The vibrant light of creativity and artistic expression brought forth by our Iluminado artists and the Monterey community displayed a welcomed contrast to the darkest time of the year. Over 3,500 participants of all ages joined us in December for free admission and a festive calendar of special events – including First Friday, Free Family Fun Day, Winter Art Market, and the enchanting Winter Solstice Celebration.
Photo by Kyle Warren
Under the creative direction of artist Abira Ali, artists Edi Matsumoto, JP Frary, Elizabeth Murray, Mark Schlegel, and Sea Sevilla and Avelino Sanher of La Neta Murals transformed Iluminado into a space that left visitors transfixed and inspired to reflect, create, and contribute to the evolution of the exhibition. Furthermore, Iluminado marked a significant milestone in MMA's outreach, unveiling our collaboration with emerging young talents through the enchanting "Lumina Lane" installation on our ground floor. Our Education and Public Programs department forged meaningful connections with young minds from Oak Avenue Elementary, Elkhorn Elementary, and Monterey
Digital Academy. These budding artists delved into the realms of personal identity and the concept of “home,” artistically expressed through upcycled juice and milk carton ornaments. Collaboratively, they also crafted and personalized larger house structures, provided by MMA, to symbolize their unique perspectives on “community.” Iluminado represents a new chapter of MMA's art connecting community initiative, inviting everyone to become a part of something beautiful together.
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Winter Season Feature Seeing Chicanx: The Durón Family Collection Our featured exhibition for this winter season, Seeing Chicanx: The Durón Family Collection, showcases the talents of many Chicana/o/x artists from the Los Angeles region. Culminating with over 80 multimedia artworks, Seeing Chicanx: The Durón Family Collection gives museum visitors a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the preservation of Chicanx art, identity, and history. Works by acclaimed artists like Patssi Valdez, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, Shizu Saldamando, and more, narrate a comprehensive story about the significance of Chicanx art from the 1900s to the present day. While this exhibition reflects on the 1900s in relation to the Chicano Movement (1965-1980) – a period of social and political empowerment for Chicanos – it also extends beyond that historical moment to explore the continuous evolution of Chicana/o/x artists. The Museum’s guest curator, Karen Mary Davalos*, successfully helps viewers reframe their expectations of Chicana/o/x art while simultaneously highlighting the remarkable collecting efforts put
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forth by art collectors Armando and Mary Salinas Durón. Most importantly, the exhibition highlights unconventional elements of Chicanx art, including landscapes, skyscapes, portraiture, anti-portraiture, cultural assimilations through cultural appropriation, abstract and conceptual styles, and notions of gender identities. As viewers navigate the exhibition, they are invited to reflect on the talent of individual artists and recognize that Chicana/o/x art surpasses cultural expectations and boundaries. We hope that visitors will enjoy this exploration of Chicana/o/x art and acclaim the contributions of artists who have played a vital role in shaping the artistic landscape of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Region and beyond. * Dr. Davalos is a distinguished professor of Chicano and Latino Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is recognized as a leading scholar in Chiana/o/x art history with significant contributions through her research, publications, and curatorial projects.
Frank Romero (b. 1941), Corazon, 1985, enameled clay ceramic, 10.75 x 10.75 in. The Durón Family Collection. © Frank Romero.
Purchase your copy of the exhibition catalogue which features exhibition images, a foreword by MMA Executive Director Corey Madden, an introduction by Armando Durón, and an original 8,000 word essay by Curator Karen Mary Davalos. Now available at MMA Pacific Street
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Katie Herzog (b. 1979), Allison’s Rodeo Bull (Stripper Dust), 2022, oil on canvas, 61 x 85 in. Courtesy of the artist. Katie Herzog (b. 1979), Hanging Saddle, Hebrew Tooling (Lekoudesch), 2022, oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Artist Highlight Katie Herzog
Nestled in our Currents gallery this winter is the work of Katie Herzog, a dynamic artist from Parkfield, California. Large images of cattle grace the walls as Herzog paints a story of identity, agriculture, and an uncovered family history. Upon her relocation to the Salinas Valley, Herzog discovered her ancestors, German-Jewish cattle traders who immigrated to California in the 1800s, had spoken a secret language called Lekoudesch. This hybrid tongue of Hebrew and
German emerged as an insider trader lingo for discriminated Jewish cattle traders. Herzog’s work is greatly influenced by this lineage, featuring scenes of animals and ranching alongside dynamic Lekoudesch characters. By combining these elements, Herzog pays homage to her ancestors and the necessity for this language while also shedding light on Jewish history in our region and its agriculture. On view through March 17, 2024. 11
Recent Acquisition
Chikaji Kawakami (a.k.a. Nanpo), 1882-1949 The Museum is thrilled to acknowledge the recent gift of 87 works on paper by the late Japanese American artist Chikaji Kawakami (1882-1949), also known by his pen name “Nanpo” (meaning “south side”). These rare and important works depict daily life in the Topaz and Tanforan internment camps during World War II through the eyes of one who was incarcerated at both and have come to the Museum through the generosity of the artist’s direct descendant Diane Coward, through the Jim and Diane Coward Family Trust. Nanpo was an accomplished artist and musician who had studied in Japan before coming to the United States with his wife and children in 1901 and eventually settling in Oakland. Although these expertly rendered watercolors are ostensibly tableaus of everyday existence in the camps, the works purposefully omit the presence of any military personnel or materiel, the depiction of which was strictly prohibited by the authorities, and thus are imbued with a profound sense of longing for normality, peace and serenity. While Nanpo and members of his family were first incarcerated at the temporary Tanforan camp near San Francisco, and prior to their transfer to the
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newly constructed Topaz camp in Utah, he crossed paths with another significant Japanese American artist, Chiura Obata (1885-1975). Obata founded the Tanforan Art School, where he organized painting classes for his fellow prisoners, and subsequently appointed Nanpo to teach in the school at Topaz. The influence of Obata’s methods can be seen in Nanpo’s work from the time of their mutual incarceration (1942-1945) in their color palette and blend of Eastern and Western styles. As all but government-sponsored photography of the camps and the military presence was restricted, works such as these watercolors provide us with rare insight and perspective on the life of the internees, and as such are a priceless and irreplaceable resource and record of a regrettable moment in our history. An exhibition of Nanpo’s work is currently in development for fall 2024, and archival audio-visual materials which accompanied this generous gift will be digitized through a grant from the State’s California Revealed program and ultimately be available to visitors and researchers online later this year.
Chikaji Kawakami, a.k.a. Nanpo (1882-1949), Self-portrait, ca. 1942-1945, watercolor on paper, 25 x 18.5 inches (framed); Gift of the Jim and Diane Coward Family Trust.
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Acknowledgements September 22 – January 1, 2024 Thank you to all who have generously supported the Museum over the last few months. We are honored by your trust in us and our mission to engage community with the diversity of California art – past, present, and future.
Exhibition Supporters Support for Harvesting California: From the WPA Era to the Present provided by Judith and Frank Marshall Support for Dorothea Lange: 1935-1942, With selections from the Dorothea Lange Archive at the Oakland Museum of California provided by Jacki June Horton Support for Mixed Up - Connected: Joe Ramos Photographs provided by Barbara Schilling and Richard Carr Support for Seeing Chicanx: The Durón Family Collection provided by Barbara Schilling and Richard Carr with additional support provided by AltaMed Health Services
Monterey County Gives! Thank you to the Community Foundation for Monterey County and Monterey County Weekly for organizing and facilitating MCGives! – benefiting 200 local nonprofits. We are extremely grateful to our Board of Trustees, campaign challenge donors, and community supporters for their continued generosity. This year’s success will help expand arts access to countless children and families across Monterey County. Mary Adams Robin Aeschlinan Steve and Cynthia Ainsworth Dana Allen-Greil Sherree and Richard Anderson Constance Andrews Jane Anfinson and David Wick Judith and Thomas Archibald Robert Armstrong Joan Artz Betty Aynaga and Steven Likong Kathleen Baer Maxine Balma Elizabeth Barlow Rob Baxter Marilyn Beck Jordan Berg Roberta Berte Michael and Lori Bouchard Leigh Bourne May Boyer Kristine and Eugene Brancolini Vanessa Bredthauer 14 Rebecca Breeze
Dionys and Jonathan Briggs Boonie Brook Mary Brooks Ronald and Emma Brown Fred and Carolyn Brown Benjamin Bruce and Guadalupe AriasBruce Susan and Paul Bruer Emily Bruza Nancy and John Bryson Hollee Buckman Barbara Bullock-Wilson Nancy Caldwell Cherie Campbell and David Goldschmidt Tony and Claudette Caparelli Patti Capili Martha Casanave Noelani Castro Lucy Chesshire Nona Childress Nancy Chira Candace Christiansen Cristiano Colantoni Robert E. Collins
Mike Cook Jerilynn Smith Crivello Erik and Kristin Cushman Paul Davis Dianne De Lorimier Joanna Devers Allen Dickason Peggy Gill and Edward Dickson Thomas Donnelly Courtney and Liam Doust Hallie Mitchell Dow Patricia and Ronald Eastman Robert Eaton Sharron and Bobby Enriquez Brenda Eskenazi Carol Farris Claire Fay Nichole Fisher Noelle Fletcher Daniel Fletcher Arts Council for Monterey Linda and Howard Fosler Jeannette Fowler Mike Freed and Lydia Graham
Amy and Joe Martinetto Ellen Maupin Olga Maximoff Diane E. Mayer Robert Mazawa Scott and Eileen McAlister Karen McCleery Amy McDougall Robin Mckee and Bob Walker Michael and Neal McMahan Judith A. Menconi Amalia Mesa-Bains and Richard Bains Susan Miller Patricia Murphy and Jim Nemsik Virginia Murphy Konny Murray and Dave Buckingham Elizabeth Murray Ann Nall Gail and Frederick Nelson-Bonebrake Carolyn and Jack Nickerson Nathan Nielsen Dianne Nielson Karla and Andy Nordland Janelle and Nathan Nunez Helen Ogden Rebeka Okaneku Susan Osborne Ken Parker Karen Parker Carolie Parker Lopez Chris and Robert Patton Vicki Pearse William R. and Carol S. Pendergast Carolyn Perez O Leath Pitta Mary Pommerich Gray Ponti Vanessa Potter Lesley Pretorius Lisa Prochazka Ashleigh Putnam & Dan Myers Keith and Hanna Quinnell Sandra Rader Allison Railo Kathy Redondo Jason Reed John Rexine James Rice Caitlin and Michael Richardson Neil Richman Sharon Riley Robin Robinson Lee and Shirley Rosen Martha Ross Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Ronald San Chirico Maureen Sanders
John Satterlee Jodi and John Schaffer Carolyn Schanzer Mary Ann Schicketanz Caroline Scott Low and Graham Low Sari Silverman David Smiley and Maryann Vasconcellos Timothy Smith and Kristin Markus Eric and Holly Smith Tami Sojka Michael Sovereign Fran Spector Atkins and Roger Stewart Sarah Spencer Betty and J. Michael Sproule Elizabeth Stacey Karen and Jack Steadman Janet Swan Bush Kris Swanson Alicia Swithenbank Janet and Richard Tezkak Mose and Denise Thomas Peter Thorp Kenny Trammell Eleanor and Kevin Uhlinger Holly Unruh Erick and Fae Urban Donna Van Noy Carlos Villagomez and Miguel A. Martinez Kevin Wasbauer and Erika Takada Joel and Bonni Weinstein Malcom Weintraub Kellin White-Chaffin and Alan Chaffin Steven Whyte and Ellen Wilson Lacy Williams Buck Anna and Camilo Wilsson Michael and Maryellen Wilson Terry Wilson Samantha Wishnak William and Kathleen Wojtkowski Anna Wright and Bob Stallard Lorraine Yglesias Rice Bradley Zeve
Photo: Patrick Tregenza Photo
Barbara Furbush Regina Gage Laura and John Gamble Ellen Gannon Tracy Gibbons Priscilla Gilbertson Helaine Glick Nicola and Gary Gordon Susan Greene Gail Griffin Christopher and Jarred Grimes Kristin Guertin Maureen Halligan Richard Hamilton & Debra Schadeck Kathy Hannas Adriana and Bill Hayward Elliott and Lucie Hazen Kenneth and Constance Hess Noelle and John Hetz Klara and Dennis Hickman Peter Hiller and Celeste Williams David Hoag Astrid Holberg and David Awerbuck Annie and Craig Holdren Dwight Holing and Ann Notthoff Carol Lee Holland Cora Hoover Jacalyn Horton Kristen and Joe Huston Robert Hylton Krista Ingalls Aengus Jeffers Christine and Michael Kasman David and Linda Keaton Wendy and John Keller Wesley and Debbie Kelley Marion S. Keyworth Shannon and Rob Kirby William Koenig Amy Kohut Helen Kosik-Westly Marquerite Kremer and Mark Stearns Elizabeth and John Kurzava Margaret Kylander Stephanie Langley Anne Leidinger Karen and Lorin Letendre Daivd Ligare and Gerald Smith Bonnie Lockwood Richard MacDonald Corey Madden Amanda Mahaffey Allyson Malek Marsha Malis Susan Manchester Mark Marino William Martin
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Our Future In May 2021, after a lengthy search for a new location, the Monterey Museum of Art (MMA) initiated a comprehensive feasibility study with Lord Cultural Resources and HMC Architects (Lord/HMC) to assess its facilities. The study evaluated MMA Pacific Street, operational since 1969, and MMA La Mirada, open to the public between 1993 and 2016. The study also considered developing a new facility on the Perry Lane property adjacent to La Mirada. Lord/HMC's detailed study, combined with input from diverse community stakeholders and the City of Monterey, led the MMA Board of Trustees to unanimously decide to reinvest in the Pacific Street location, supporting MMA's vision of creating a cultural hub in Monterey’s downtown historic district. This decision will require significant renovation of the Pacific Street facility – considering the building’s age, condition, and historical status. To address space requirements, MMA has acquired the historic Miller Adobe on Calle Principal, with support from the Community Foundation for Monterey County. This acquisition aims to create a cohesive and accessible space connecting MMA Pacific Street and the Miller Adobe.
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Photo: Randy Tunnel Photography
For MMA La Mirada, an Institute for California Art is envisioned, focusing on the research and study of MMA's collection and archives. Plans include renovating La Mirada's building and gardens, emphasizing environmental sustainability and historic preservation. A sustainable operating model for La Mirada includes adult art education, seasonal programming, community partnerships, and site rentals. The study also led to the decision to sell the Perry Lane property as it posed significant expansion challenges. Proceeds from the sale will fund capital priorities. With complex and large-scale capital projects ahead, MMA plans a phased approach to fundraising and construction. The Museum's Capital Planning Committee, involving MMA Board and Staff, consultants, and community members, is actively shaping MMA's future. In December 2023, MMA initiated the search for an Executive Architect. The initial phase includes a call for Letters of Interest followed by proposals and a selections process. The Museum looks forward to sharing updates on these plans. 17
Join Us
Upcoming Events at MMA Please visit montereyart.org for tickets and important updates.
Feb 17
Painting Workshop: Jessica von Essen 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Printmaking Workshop: Jess Soriano 1:30 – 5:30 pm
Evening in the Exhibitions 5:00 – 6:30 pm
First Friday 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Candle Making Workshop: Johnny Wicks 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Afternoon with the Artist: Joe Ramos 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Educator Open House 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Feb 24 Feb 29 Mar 1
Mar 2
Mar 9
Mar 16 Apr 6
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Block Party 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Dance Party 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Photo: Patrick Tregenza Photo
Join Us every Sunday for an Exhibitions Insights Tour from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. More info at montereyart.org/events 19
Spring/Summer 2024 Exhibitions Please visit montereyart.org for tickets and important updates.
Currents: Judith Marshall March 22 – June 2 Into the Blue April 25 – August 11 Bay of Life May 2 –August 18 Collection Rotation May 9 – August 25 David Ligare: Spheres of Influence May 16 – September 1
For more details about upcoming exhibitions, visit us online at https://www.montereyart.org/upcoming-exhibitions/ Image above: Connie Mendoza, Systemic Death (detail), 2020, mixed media installation. The Durón Family Collection. Photo by Patrick Tregenza Photography.
Stay Connected Sign-up for enews at montereyart.org/enews Visit us anytime online at montereyart.org Monterey Museum of Art 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940
General inquiries 831.372.5477 facebook.com/montereyart.org instagram.com/montereyart
montereyart.org To report a misprint or error, please
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contact pr@montereyart.org WINTER / SPRING 2024