The Monterey Museum of Art cultivates curiosity in the visual arts and engages the community with the diversity of California art – past, present, and future.
During Monterey Museum of Art’s month-long Iluminado, commissioned local artists will create tree-like sculptures for public decoration with themes of Reflection, Gratitude, Light, Community, and Memory. The Museum will install a special gallery for displaying public-made art and student art. Free tree decorating art workshops and wall panels will facilitate public chalk art. The Museum will provide free in-school workshops and free transportation for classes to visit the Museum and display their art. The series of events will include:
• A themed 3-hour Opening Celebration
• A themed Free Family Fun Day
with public art-making.
• Themed Arts and Healing Workshops
• Free exhibition tours
• A variety of Christmas in the Adobes free participatory arts activities such as luminaria decorating, mural painting, and ornament painting.
• Winter Arts Market - local artists will display and sell their art.
• Winter Solstice Celebration.
Admission to MMA will be free throughout Iluminado.
What inspired our students’ art during Iluminado was community. We all came together and talked about what’s important to us, so it reflected all of our voices and opinions. We talked a lot about all of our cultural identities, religions, and especially Mexican American culture. We included artichokes because it represents what we grow here in Castroville. Agriculture is big here. Many of our family members, friends, and neighbors work in the fields. This is a way for us to honor and recognize the people who came before us who worked the fields. We are proud of where we come from, and we know how important we are to California and to the U.S.A.
- Jordan Hubbell. 5th grade teacher Elkhorn Elementary School, Castroville
