Arts Council for Monterey County

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 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.

The common Thread of an Artist, Pacific Grove Art Center
2026-03-06 11:00 - 2026-04-23 17:00 | Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Guna Hebbar, Gordon Dill, and Bob Selin- three local artists from Salinas Valley Art Gallery-share a common thread of creativity. Working in different media, with distinct personal styles, they explore local landscapes and expressive interpretations of the world around them. A group exhibition exploring shared landscapes through individual artistic vision.

Mountains to the Sea
2026-03-25 10:00 - 2026-06-06 17:00 | Chesebro Wines, 19 East Carmel Valley Rd, Ste D, Carmel Valley, 93924, United States
Monterey Bay Plein Air Association and Chesebro Wines present:
Mountains to the Sea, Monterey County Landscapes.

Earth Day Ecology & Art Exploration
2026-04-22 09:00 - 11:00 | CA
Join an Earth Day coastal experience combining ecology and art at the tide pools.
Participants will explore marine life through guided observation, sketching, and hands-on creative activities led by ecologist & artist Emily Gottlieb.
This session invites close attention to textures, colors, movement, and intertidal ecosystems.
📍 The Great Tide Pool
📅 Wednesday, April 22, 9:00–11:00 AM
🌱 Event link:
https://www.playfullground.com/what-the-heck-is-that
💛 Fee: $50 Explorer Pass
💫 Flexible pricing available
📩 Contact:
Mai @ Play Full Ground
hello@playfullground.com

The Decades
2026-04-25 12:00 - 18:00 | CA
Exhibition Announcement: The Decades (2026 Collection)
Step into The Decades, a contemporary art experience that transforms time into space. This immersive exhibition invites you to move through dynamic, dimensional environments where history, memory, and expression collide. Blending environmental installation with eclectic charcoal works, each piece reflects the essence of past decades through layered textures, cultural sayings, and visual storytelling.
These spaces are not just viewed—they are felt. Viewers are encouraged to engage, reflect, and navigate through shifting atmospheres that blur the line between past and present. The charcoal paintings anchor the experience with raw, expressive interpretations of historical phrases, while the surrounding environments expand them into full sensory encounters.
Join us for the 2026 debut of The Decades Collection:
📍 271 Portola Plaza, Monterey, California
📅 April 25, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎤 Artist Presentation: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Open to the public. Experience an exhibit that doesn’t just show history—it surrounds you.

Controlled Chaos Improv at California's First Theatre!
2026-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 | California’s First Theatre, 439 Scott Street, Monterey, 93940
Get ready for a night of non-stop laughter and unpredictable fun at California’s First Theatre! Controlled Chaos Improv puts their own twist on traditional improvisational theatre. Quick wit and spontaneous energy are combined with truth in comedy to bring something fresh and fun to the stage! Grab your friends and join us for an evening you won’t soon forget! A good time is guaranteed for all. You may pay for a whole seat, but watch as these improvisers keep you on the edge of it!

J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion
2026-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 | CA
Bach’s St. John Passion Comes to Carmel and Santa Cruz in Intimate Chamber Performances
This April, the Central Coast Chamber Choir (C4), the chamber ensemble of I Cantori di Carmel, presents J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion under the direction of Daniel Henriks. Performed with a chamber choir and an ensemble, these concerts bring Bach’s dramatic retelling of the Passion story into a more immediate and human scale. The result is direct, present, and deeply sincere.
Two performances will take place:
Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM
All Saints’ Episcopal Church | 9th Street & Dolores Avenue | Carmel
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Calvary Episcopal Church | 532 Center Street | Santa Cruz
Tickets are available at www.icantori.org
About the piece:
Rather than presenting the work with large forces, C4 approaches the St. John Passion at a more intimate scale. This allows the text and music to come forward with clarity and immediacy, placing the listener closer to the unfolding story.
Under the direction of Daniel Henriks, the performance reflects a deep engagement with both the musical structure and the human drama of the work. A conductor with a background as an international opera singer, Henriks brings a strong sense of narrative, pacing, and vocal understanding to this repertoire.
The performance features a cast of distinguished soloists:
Steven Caldicott Wilson (Evangelist), praised by The New York Times for his “powerful, polished and moving” interpretation.
Morgan Balfour, soprano, recently featured with the San Francisco Symphony and known for her luminous tone and expressive range.
Gabriela Estephanie Solís, mezzo-soprano, an in-demand interpreter of Baroque repertoire with major early music ensembles.
Matt Peterson, baritone, is recognized for his commanding presence and versatility on both operatic and concert stages.
They are joined by the Central Coast Chamber Choir and a baroque ensemble drawn from Central Coast musicians, performing on period instruments. This ensemble reflects a growing focus on historically grounded performance practice within the region.
