Carmel's Artistic Influence-Carmel homes a focus of the walking tour
Posted by Gregg Camp on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 9:09am.
Carmel’s artistic history began shortly after its first post office
opened over a hundred years ago. The Carmel Arts and Crafts Club was
established in 1905, in order to promote art of all genres. After the
San Francisco earthquake a year later, artistically inclined refugees
were drawn to the white sand beaches of Carmel. Homes there reflect a
legacy of painters, writers, photographers and other artists still
coloring the landscape and the atmosphere of Carmel by the Sea.
Many artistically significant landmarks remain in and around Carmel. Homes of poet Robinson Jeffers, author Mary Austin, photographer Edward Weston, and painter Salvador Dali, along with buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Julia Morgan still grace the village. Additionally, one can see the Forrest Theater; an open-air performing center for local theatrical talent, which was the brainchild of Mary Austin.
Artist and world traveler Gale Wrausmann became so enthralled with Carmel, she moved there and now serves as tour guide for Carmel Walks; two hour walking tours around Carmel. Homes relating to art and artists are a favorite theme of many of the walks, which may include a visit to Edward Weston’s cabin, Salvador Dali’s apartment, Tor House, movie filming sites, and Carmel’s oldest art gallery. Ms. Wrausmann highlights her tours with interesting information about the art and artists of Carmel. Art lovers and history buffs alike might find the Carmel Walks worth taking.
Although their residences and workplaces may no longer be visible about Carmel, many other artists either considered Carmel home, or often visited. Such artists include authors Jack London and Upton Sinclair, poet Langston Hughes, photographer Arnold Genthe, and composer George Gershwin. Although neither lived there, John Steinbeck and his long time friend Edward “Doc” Ricketts met in Carmel. Homes of other artistically significant individuals remain in nearby Monterey and Big Sur.
Carmel’s artistic tradition continues today with new artists. Local theatre groups still perform at the Forrest Theater. The Pacific Repertory Theater boasts of being the only professional theater on the peninsula. The Sunset Center hosts musical events year round with this year’s guests including Manhattan Transfer, Michael Bolton and Rita Moreno.The Golden Bough Playhouse is another local venue of the arts. Pacific Reperatory Theater performs here.
Many artistically significant landmarks remain in and around Carmel. Homes of poet Robinson Jeffers, author Mary Austin, photographer Edward Weston, and painter Salvador Dali, along with buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Julia Morgan still grace the village. Additionally, one can see the Forrest Theater; an open-air performing center for local theatrical talent, which was the brainchild of Mary Austin.
Artist and world traveler Gale Wrausmann became so enthralled with Carmel, she moved there and now serves as tour guide for Carmel Walks; two hour walking tours around Carmel. Homes relating to art and artists are a favorite theme of many of the walks, which may include a visit to Edward Weston’s cabin, Salvador Dali’s apartment, Tor House, movie filming sites, and Carmel’s oldest art gallery. Ms. Wrausmann highlights her tours with interesting information about the art and artists of Carmel. Art lovers and history buffs alike might find the Carmel Walks worth taking.
Although their residences and workplaces may no longer be visible about Carmel, many other artists either considered Carmel home, or often visited. Such artists include authors Jack London and Upton Sinclair, poet Langston Hughes, photographer Arnold Genthe, and composer George Gershwin. Although neither lived there, John Steinbeck and his long time friend Edward “Doc” Ricketts met in Carmel. Homes of other artistically significant individuals remain in nearby Monterey and Big Sur.
Carmel’s artistic tradition continues today with new artists. Local theatre groups still perform at the Forrest Theater. The Pacific Repertory Theater boasts of being the only professional theater on the peninsula. The Sunset Center hosts musical events year round with this year’s guests including Manhattan Transfer, Michael Bolton and Rita Moreno.The Golden Bough Playhouse is another local venue of the arts. Pacific Reperatory Theater performs here.
Twelve art galleries include the Robert Knight Gallery of Fine Art Photography where one might purchase stunning photographs of wildlife, and Lu Lu’s Silk Art Gallery, which displays elegant silk embroidery from traditional Asian designs and embroidered copies of Van Gogh and De Vinci paintings.
Academy award winner and former mayor of Carmel, Clint Eastwood not only lives in Carmel, but has owned a few businesses there as well, including the Hog’s Breath Inn, Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant, and the Tehama Golf Club.
Keeping true to the legacy of the Arts and Crafts Club, an Arts and Film festival is held every year in Carmel. Art, photography and film are the three main categories for new artist submissions, but one will also find an art fair, music café and lectures, in addition to great wine and food during the five-day festival. Once could visit the festival and take one of Gail Wrausmann’s walks to visit many of the artistically significant Carmel homes. The 2011 festival may include entries of the artists belonging to the group called Plein-Air Painters of America, which promotes outdoor painting.
As painters and photographers have in the past, members of the PAPA have chosen Carmel as their inspiration. The visually stunning land and seascape have always attracted visual artists to Carmel. Homes on the historic tours of the next century may include some of those Plein-Air Painters, and Gail Wrausmann as well.
Gregg Camp
831-818-7524
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