Monterey Museum of Art Gala Offers a New Twist: Artistic Immersion

MONTEREY, Calif. - March 14, 2018 - PRLog -- Galas typically provide an elegant evening of fine food and wine, dancing and auctions.  The annual event in support of the Monterey Museum of Art on April 28, will offer this and much more. Titled "Women in Art," the gala is designed as a unique social and educational experience that will immerse participants in the work of iconic women artists over the past one hundred years.  Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama, among others, will play central roles throughout the evening, as will California painters and photographers who helped lead the early California art movement.

This educational twist on the traditional concept of a gala came naturally to co-chairs Adriana Hayward and Monica Graham, who reached back to their own art history and art degrees to envision the event.  "We wanted to bring people together to celebrate art and the museum in a fun, yet educational way," says Hayward, who also serves on the MMA Board of Trustees.  "Our discussions on the theme for this year kept coming back to honoring women who defined art in the last 100 years.   Guests will travel through time with these artists and leave with a deeper appreciation of their contributions."

In concert with noted event planner, Brian Bode, Tehama Golf Club will be transformed into a collage of individual spaces devoted to the artists in their time.  "Each space will capture the artists through projections of her work, and artifacts reminiscent of her life.  While this is not a costume party, we hope participants will use their creative talents to honor an artist of their choosing."

The gala will pay respect to the Central Coast's own early California women artists, each of whom has made her mark on the art world, and who are featured prominently in MMA's collection.   MMA Board Chair Lila Thorsen is an art historian who has expertise in this period.  She notes that "artists including E. Charlton Fortune, Imogen Cunningham and Evelyn McCormick helped shape the art movement that defined the Central Coast in the early twentieth century.  We're proud the MMA holds fine examples of their work."  Stuart Chase, the MMA's Executive Director, was especially pleased with this year's theme and educational bent.  "The gala is a perfect complement to the museum's 'Year of the Woman,' which focusses specifically on the women in art in California and the Central Coast.  To have a gala that leaves guests with a heightened appreciation of the artistic gifts these women have provided over the years is exhilarating."

The proceeds from the Annual Gala support Monterey Museum of Art exhibitions, school education programs and Free Family Fun Days.

For general information on the gala contact Monica Graham atmonicaeboyle@hotmail.com or Adrianna Hayward at adrianahayward@me.com

For gala ticket information contact Deanne Glaser at 831 372 5477 (x 105) or go to: http://www.montereyart.org/ event/women-in-art-spring- gala/ (http://www.montereyart.org/event/women-in-art-spring-gala/)

For information on MMA and the gala go to: http://www.montereyart.org/