We are dedicated to bringing people from all cultures together through education, facilitation, and promotion of all disciplines of the arts in Monterey County, furthering intercultural understanding in our community, cultivating cultural tourism in Salinas, and the economic advancement of local artists and youth in the underserved population.
Visual Arts • Murals • Public Art
JC Gonzalez is a visual Interdisciplinary and community-based artist. His work includes acrylic, oils, watercolor painting, drawing, murals, installations, and creative happenings using nature, social justice, and human rights as themes; Gonzalez infuses his own abstract painting with a celebration of mother nature, integrating important elements as using whole live organic vegetables and flower plants.
Gonzalez grew up in Salinas, California where he develops, teaches K - 12, mentors; JC is currently the Artistic Director the Urban Arts Collaborative (UAC), a multi-disciplinary, socially conscious arts organization, weaving interconnected issues of critical importance for the community, such as creative expression, food justice, equitable land use policies, and youth leadership.
Gonzalez received his Master in Fine Arts in Creative Inquiry Interdisciplinary Arts in 2014 from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. He attended San Diego State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences Art with an emphasis in Studio Arts in 2008.
The Monterey Museum of Art inspires appreciation of the evolving California artistic legacy and expands a passion for the visual arts.
Programs and Classes: http://www.montereyart.org/education/
Our mission is to cultivate art appreciation and encourage community involvement in the arts through exhibits, classes, and events to children, youth and adults living in Monterey County.
Sol Treasures awakens and nurtures appreciation and passion for the arts in people of all ages in South Monterey County and provides a home for creative and inspiring opportunities to unify the community through art and culture. We fulfil our mission through our gallery of local artists, classes in art, music and theater for all ages, and cultural enrichment events.
Classes: www.soltreasures.com
Our mission is to sponsor public benefit educational programs that introduce and develop for individuals the inner creative process used by experienced artists of various fine arts disciplines.
The mission of Youth Arts Collective (YAC) is to provide a creative sanctuary for Monterey County youth ages 14 t 22 to explore their potential as artists as they develop personal awareness and self-esteem, social understanding, and an appreciation for contributing in positive ways to their community.
YAC provides supplies, studio space, art training, exhibition and commission opportunities, individual mentoring, and a community unlike any other. We’re open 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, year round.
YAC is open to the public:
Weekdays: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.