28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 30-AUGUST 5, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ART They are colorful, towering sculptures representing one of Mexico’s richest artistic traditions, reimagined at a monumental scale. And they are about to be a Salinas spectacle. A month-long exhibit, Alebrijes & Nahuales: Fantastic Animals from Mexico, brings eight nearly 20-foot-tall sculptures to the city, all weighing about a ton and inspired by alebrijes and nahuales, fantastical animal figures rooted in Indigenous worldviews and craftsmanship. “The sculptures will bring people together physically when they visit, but also an opportunity to engage with the arts and educational community,” Mayor Dennis Donohue says. “Like the World Cup, communities come together when they have a shared experience and this one will be hard to miss.” Each is a reproduction of an original 1- to 2-foot-tall figure made from wood of the copal, a small tree native to the tropical dry forests of Mexico, and cut using a machete. It’s a process that can take months to complete, says Romain Greco, artistic producer of the exhibit. The story begins in 1936 with Mexican artisan Pedro Linares who, while recovering from a life-threatening illness, dreamed of strange creatures. Lions with eagle wings, donkeys with butterfly tails and fantastical animals all cried out a single mysterious word: “alebrijes.” When he recovered, Linares recreated the creatures in papier-mâché. Oaxacan woodcarvers embraced Linares’ vision and transformed it into something uniquely their own. Artisans carved whimsical creatures by hand before painting each one with intricate geometric patterns inspired by Zapotec textiles, nature and ancient symbolism. The nahual comes from Mesoamerican belief that every person is connected to an animal spirit offering guidance, strength and protection. For example, jaguars represent courage, and owls wisdom. “Yes, it’s colorful and aesthetic and people are encouraged to take photos, but it’s about the traditions, the stories and the cultural identity,” Greco says. The exhibit’s grand opening party takes place at Northridge Mall on Friday, July 31 from 5-6:30pm. From 5-6:30pm on Friday, Aug. 7, an exhibition of 30 smaller, papier-mâché alebrijes—curated by local artist JC Gonzalez—opens at One Main Street. Besides Northridge Mall, other large nahuales are located at Sherwood Hall, Star Market, Vineyard Church, One Main Street and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex until Sept. 4. DANIEL DREIFUSS Stranger Things Colorful Oaxacan art on a giant scale is about to transform the streets of Salinas. By Royvi Hernandez The eight colorful nahuales statues, approaching 20 feet in height, are delivered to Salinas on Monday, July 27 for installation at various points around town. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak 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 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 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 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 Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 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 Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates 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
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