On the afternoon of August 8, 1927, nineteen members of Carmel's artistic community met in the living room of "Gray Gables", home of Josephine Culbertson and Ida Johnson. The purpose of the meeting was to listen to Ada Belle Champlin, a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association, talk about the advantages of forming a local art association with the mission: "to advance the knowledge of and interest in art, create a spirit of cooperation and fellowship between artists and the people".
The newly formed group had no exhibition space and no money with which to consider one, but in late 1927, it was decided to rent a room in the Seven Arts Building at Lincoln Street and Ocean Avenue. The rent was thirty dollars a month, but was raised to forty after improvements were made. Miss Kathryn Corrigan, a member, was hired as curator and her salary was 25% of painting sales, with another 5% going to the Association.
In December, 1927, the Association held an exhibit of miniature paintings calling them "Thumb-box Sketches". The exhibit was so successful that it became a yearly event and in fact, the 2002 December miniature show will be titled "Thumb-box Sketches" in honor of a tradition begun 75 years ago.
The beginning years were difficult and became more so as the Great Depression began in 1929. The Association was forced to give up its rental in the Seven Arts Building and a commercial gallery handled the artists' works for the next five years. During that period, memberships declined, so a request was made to the City of Carmel for permission to exhibit in the new City Hall, but it was rebuffed by the City Council.
After an exhibition by the Association's four National Academicians was given in 1931, its success seemed to give the Association new life and lifted morale. In 1933, a private studio became available on Dolores Street between 5th and 6th. It had belonged to Ira Remson, an Association member, who committed suicide in his studio in 1928. A local business man, Barnet J. Segal, thought it would be suitable for an artist friend, Edda Heath, but she said it was too big and "should belong the Carmel Art Association". The asking price was $5,500.00, but all the assets of the Association amounted to $413.34. However, the members voted to purchase the property and Barney Segal personally loaned his own money to close the deal. On December 10, 1933, the CAA celebrated its annual "Thumb-box Sketch" show in its new home. By February, 1934, the Articles of Incorporation were drawn up, officers elected, dues set at $1.00 per month and the CAA was solvent with $198.24 in the bank.
The next few years were filled with fund-raising events such as the Bal Masque at the Del Monte Hotel, for which Salvador Dali created the décor. Traveling shows and "theme" shows became popular as a way to raise money. By 1937, it was realized that the gallery was not large enough, so plans were started to put an addition on the north side. Dues were increased, raffles were held, members donated time and talent to construction and by April, 1939, the new gallery was open for business. Since that time, more improvements have been made to the building, including a three foot addition along the south side, new bathrooms, a new kitchen, new and improved lighting and wall covering and a wheel chair lift to make the building handicapped accessible.
In the interest of community involvement, CAA members offer free lectures and demonstrations throughout the year. Additionally, in an attempt to embrace the citizens of Carmel and other local non profit organizations, the gallery space is offered to host special public events such as the Bach Festival and the Carmel Art Festival.
From its inauspicious beginning, the Carmel Art Association has grown in stature and reputation and now celebrates its 75th anniversary. Today's CAA still has the same ideals as it had in 1927: "for the purpose of stimulating art interest here and of enabling Monterey Peninsula artists to keep in closer touch with one another...to aid artists to sell their paintings and keep in touch with visitors who wish to buy their works" and it continues to operate under its original mission statement. It remains, to this day, the only gallery in Carmel exclusively showing local artists' paintings and sculpture and is visited by thousands of people from around the world each year.
This special exhibit bridges the seventy five years of its existence with paintings by seventy five deceased members who played an integral role in its history, as well as presenting new works by its present members.
The Carmel Art Association members hope the traditions of the past will continue in the future and welcome you to its 75th Anniversary Exhibition.
William F. Stone, Jr.
President, Carmel Art Association
2000 - 2002
