Founded in 1927, Carmel’s oldest gallery features the work of more than 100 professional local artists, and is dedicated to presenting only the finest work for sale by artists living on the Monterey Peninsula. The Carmel Art Association displays a wide variety of styles and media, and changes its exhibitions every month. The historic building provides exhibition space for its members’ works and in the interest of community involvement sponsors art talks and demonstrations, youth art exhibitions, and special fund-raising events. The Carmel Art Association is a 501(c)(3).

The Carmel Art Association, a non-profit organization, has a long and proud heritage. Many of its early members were among the great early California artists including notables Armin Hansen, William Ritschel, Paul Dougherty, Mary DeNeale Morgan, Percy Gray, Francis McComas, E. CharIton Fortune, John O’Shea and many more. The purpose and spirit of the Association’s founding members continues today and it has retained its identity as an artist owned and operated sales gallery for over 95 years.

The Carmel Art Association is governed by a fifteen-member Board of Directors, each serving two to four-year terms. Each year five Board Members rotate off the Board, making way for five new Board Members.

2023 Board Members: Joaquin Turner, President; Cindy Wilbur, Vice President; Sibyl Johnson, Secretary; Chris Sawyer, Treasurer; plus, Jeffrey Becom, Sarah Healey, Peggy Jelmini, Craig Lauterbach, Melissa Lofton, Carol Parker, Dennis Peak, Robin Sawyer, Dennis Stanford, Jan Wagstaff.

The gallery continues to win awards each year, most recently: “The Award of Excellence” (Carmel Chamber of Commerce), “Golden Pine Cone Award” (The Carmel Pine Cone), “Best Art Gallery in Monterey County” (Monterey County Weekly), and “First Place for Best Art Gallery” (Monterey Herald Readers Choice Awards).