Nominate a Champion of the Arts!
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-27 | CA
Nominations for Champion of the Arts are closing soon!
We know there are many amazing individuals, organizations, and businesses making a powerful impact on the arts in Monterey County. Now’s the time to recognize their inspiring work!
The Champions of the Arts™ award, presented by Arts4MC, honors those who foster creativity, promote cultural engagement, and strengthen our community through the arts.
Nominations close January 20, 2026 — don’t wait!
Awards ceremony: Friday, April 17, 2026, 9 AM at Monterey Marriott Ferrante Room.
Help us celebrate the leaders shaping the future of arts in Monterey County. Nominate your Champion today: bit.ly/Champion2026

Art of Rehabilitation
2026-01-19 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-21 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-23 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | County of Monterey Building, 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas, 93901
What if art could change lives?
A powerful new exhibit at the County of Monterey Administration building in Salinas proves it can. The installation showcases work by inmates from Soledad Correctional Training Facility—videos, audio, poetry and visual pieces that reveal the transformative potential of creativity and rehabilitation behind bars.
Created through the Life on Art’s – Rehabilitation program, these works are more than art—they’re part of a proven strategy to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for successful reentry into society. The program complements existing education and mental health services, giving incarcerated individuals a vital tool for self-expression and healing.
Each piece tells a story. Hear directly from the artists themselves as they share the thoughts, struggles, and hopes that shaped their work. This isn’t just an art show—it’s a window into the humanity of people often unseen, and a testament to the rehabilitative power of creative expression.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Presents “Tethered Light” A Driftwood Sculpture Exhibition by Raphaele Cohen-Bacry On view January 21 – April 26
2026-01-21 10:00 - 2026-04-26 16:00 | Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove,, CA, 93950
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announces the presentation of “Tethered Light,” a sculptural exhibition by California-based artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry, on view January 21 through April 26. The exhibition features a collection of sculptural works created from driftwood gathered along California’s rugged coastline.
Rooted in the landscapes and histories of California’s shores, Tethered Light transforms weathered, fire-marked and ocean-worn wood into expressive sculptural forms that speak to environmental change, endurance and renewal. Many of the materials used in the exhibition were collected from beaches where wildfire-scarred trees met the sea, carrying visible traces of both destruction and survival.
Bright marine ropes bind the sculptural elements together, referencing the maritime traditions of the Pacific Coast — from fishing vessels and buoys to migration routes and navigation systems that have long shaped life along the water. These luminous cords contrast with the aged wood, symbolizing the human impulse to connect, secure and preserve in an ever-changing environment.
Several pieces in the exhibition are suspended, appearing to hover and sway in space. These floating forms suggest motion, balance and the shifting relationship between land and sea — a reminder that California’s coastline remains in constant dialogue with wind, water and time.
“Tethered Light is a meditation on resilience and regeneration — sculptures shaped by the sea and bound by memory, inviting us to reflect on our deep connection to California’s coast and the shifting balance between nature, culture and change,”
— Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
Presented at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the exhibition aligns closely with the museum’s mission to inspire discovery and stewardship of the natural world. Through sculptural storytelling, Tethered Light invites visitors to consider the fragile beauty of coastal ecosystems and the responsibility we share in protecting them.
Located on the edge of Monterey Bay, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History serves as a gateway to understanding the rich biodiversity and cultural history of California’s Central Coast. Tethered Light offers a contemplative artistic extension of that mission, blending science, environment and art into a single immersive experience.
Special Event
Virtual Artist Meet & Greet
February 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Join artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry for a live virtual conversation exploring the inspirations, materials and stories behind Tethered Light. Details and registration information will be available via the museum.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition: Tethered Light
Artist: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
Dates: January 21 – April 26
Venue: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Website / Artist Studio: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry Studio
For museum hours, admission and exhibition information, visit www.pgmuseum.org.

BusinessWorks Presents: Get Ready to Showcase Your Art for the Open Studios!
2026-01-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Community Foundation for Monterey County, 945 S. Main Street, #207, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
Ready to take your work from the studio to the spotlight? Join us Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10am for a free workshop designed to help artists prepare for the 2026 Open Studios Art Tour (OSAT).
Artist and Arts4MC Board Member Kiran Kamath will share the practical “nuts and bolts” of exhibiting, from setting up your art business and organizing your timeline to creating a professional display that connects with visitors. Whether this is your first exhibition or you are refining your professional presentation, this session offers clear guidance and confidence-building insights for OSAT 2026!
Community Foundation for Monterey County, Conference Room
RSVP to save your seat: bit.ly/rsvpbizworks

The Elephant Man
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | 1534 Fremont Blvd, 1534 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, 93955
In 1880s London, John Merrick is a horribly deformed young man – a victim of rare skin and bone diseases. Under the care of celebrated physician Frederick Treves, Merrick slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane gentleman, desperate to be recognized as a man like any other.

Gutenberg! The Musical
2026-01-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-24 20:00 - 22:00 | Paper Wing Theatre 711 Cannery Row Suite I Monterey, Ca. 93940, 711 Canner Row Suite I, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
A hilarious love letter to Broadway
Get ready for big laughs, bigger dreams, and two actors playing ALL the roles!
Gutenberg! The Musical is a fast-paced, absurdly funny show about two hopeful writers who perform their epic musical for an audience, hoping it’s their big break.
With nothing but enthusiasm, imagination, and a whole lot of hats, this clever comedy celebrates creativity, ambition, and the joy of live theater.
Performance Dates:
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM
January 16 – February 15
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM on the last two weekends
Saturday VIP Dinner Option Available
Includes:
• Buffet-style dinner
• One non-alcoholic beverage
• Dessert
• First choice of general admission seating
• A special keepsake photo from our themed photo booth
Whether you’re a Broadway fan or just looking for a night of nonstop laughter, Gutenberg! The Musical is the feel-good event you don’t want to miss.
Tickets available now, grab yours and join us for this side-splitting theatrical adventure!

Choral Artists of Carmel Winter Concert
2026-01-25 15:00 - 16:30 | First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado Street, Monterey, 93940
Choral Artists of Carmel will present their winter concert, entitled “Metamorphosis of Swans,” on Sunday, January 25, from 3:00–4:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Monterey.
The concert will feature the world premiere of the opera “Metamorphosis of Swans,” composed by choir member Heather Green. Ms. Green is a Wagnerian soprano and composer residing in Berlin, Germany. The premiere of her opera will include arias, as well as choral pieces sung by the Choral Artists of Carmel. The music and lyrics are based upon Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, “The Wild Swans,” a classic story of perseverance and the transformative power of love.
The opera premiere will highlight a number of exceptional performers. Soprano Jody Lee from the Monterey Peninsula and soprano Emily Schuck from San Francisco will be the soloists for the aria, “What is Left?” In addition, Ms. Lee will premiere the duet, “Call,” with Ms. Green. Also featured will be the poem “Wings,” written by conductor Robin McKee Williams and set by Ms. Green for SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass) voices and oboe. Peter Lemberg will be the oboe soloist.
The Choral Artists of Carmel will also perform the West Coast premiere of Ola Gjeilo’s “The Road,” accompanied by David Dally’s Monterey Strings and harpist Pamela Scholz. “The Great Flowing River” and “Calling From Afar,” both by James Eakin, and “They Will Rise” by British composer Jonathan Dove will also be performed by the choir.
Zoom interviews with composers James Eakin, Jonathan Dove, and Heather Green are available at www.youtube.com/@choralartistsofcarmel and www.choralartistsofcarmel.org.
Robin McKee Williams continues to support newly composed choral works and showcase the talents of the Choral Artists of Carmel, which includes well-established professional singers from San Francisco, San Diego, New York, and Germany. The concert, “Metamorphosis of Swans,” will present a rich experience of choral, orchestral, and solo music to inspire the Monterey Peninsula.
There is a suggested donation of $30. Tickets will be available at the door.
For more information, call 831-809-9112 or email choralartistsofcarmel@gmail.com.
