26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 2-8, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com ARTS The Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation gallery is located on the first floor of a historic building on Cannery Row, in the heart of tourism-friendly Monterey, that was once used as a carriage house. To its left stands a taller house, where the founder of the foundation, Dick Crispo, lives. He represents the generation of MPAF elders who created the group. MPAF is unique, just like its latest exhibition, which is titled Art is Unique! that runs until Sunday, Jan. 26. It’s one of a few co-ops, run by the members themselves—they volunteer at the gallery one day of the week. And that means that the feeling of ownership is shared by all 31 artist members, a number that is currently fixed. Because of the gallery’s central location, about half of the visitors/customers are tourists. Local artists chose to join for that reason, presenting their artwork to new crowds. “The arts that I love are connected to the people I love,” says MPAF President MaryLee Sunseri. “And I love many people [the members] here. Art is so subjective, not only from the artist’s perspective, but also in the eyes of the one who is looking at the piece.” Because part of the gallery’s role is to provide art buyers with a Cannery Row experience, the current show comes in all possible sizes and media. That includes miniatures one can easily pack into a carry-on bag, as well as textiles from a new member, Sahar Jabr. “People like to bring something home and remember this was made by a local artist,” Sunseri says. Landscapes of Monterey County, especially ocean pieces, dominate the exhibit. Another repeated theme is animals, usually adorable. On one sunny Saturday morning, the artist working at the gallery is George Riley, who is also showing his work in the Art is Unique! exhibit. This new chair of the board of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District—part of his other life as an elected official and water activist—is a multifaceted artist who creates colorful landscapes, interesting black-andwhite drawings and paintings on wood. Exhibits at the MPAF gallery change every three months. On a “change day,” all artists show up and within the next 24 hours, the whole space is transformed. Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation Gallery is at 425 Cannery Row, Monterey. Open 11am-5pm daily. 655-1267, mpaf.org. AGATA POPEDA Show Time An exhibit at Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation showcases the range of the organization’s member artists. By Agata Pop˛eda The above work by Sunee Jines, titled “Strolling in Eve Mist,” is one of many pieces that can be viewed or purchased at the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation’s gallery. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS
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