Arts Council highlights county‑building exhibits and calls for artists

Jackie Etcherson, executive director of the Arts Council of Monterey County, told the county’s June 10 news briefing that rotating exhibits make art accessible in county buildings and support local artists. Etcherson said a government center exhibit runs through the end of the year with 32 artists and 59 pieces installed across three floors (public hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and that a reception is scheduled June 16 from 4–5 p.m.

She described a concurrent exhibit at the county health department (1270 Natividad) that includes 15 adult and 17 youth artists with roughly 41 pieces; a reception at that location is scheduled June 23 from 4–5 p.m. Etcherson explained the Arts Council issues calls to artists via social media and newsletters, works with county staff and a curator to select pieces, and posts sale information with QR codes next to works. Most exhibits remain on display for about a year.

Etcherson and the Mayor also noted two permanent murals at the government center — a work by Jose Ortiz in the east stairwell and a peninsula‑focused mural by Lanetta in the west stairwell — as examples of how public art engages a broad cross section of residents.

The Arts Council encourages interested artists to contact its office to learn about upcoming calls and installation procedures.