Many of the local artists featured in this gallery are foundational to understanding Carmel's artistic origins. Nothing wrong with people wanting to spend their money on fancy clothes and whatnot, but other than the beautiful natural area, the local artists is what's it's all about! Deep selection in the stacks, not just what's on the walls. read more

This place is the best gallery in Carmel! No matter what kind of art you love, you are likely to find it here. The Carmel Art Association has been a tradition, a gathering place for artists and art lovers for almost one hundred years. Their heritage collection contains past famous artists and their current membership contains su h luminaries as Lucas Bloc and Richard Tette. Quite amazing! read more

Lots of great local artists and amazing works covering many different scenes, topics, animals, etc. Great layout and location if you are in DT Carmel. Take a visit, it's free to look. read more

This gallery has a lovely collection. We wandered in today and enjoyed seeing so many different styles and artists. Don't miss it if you are doing the gallery circuit. They have many artusts represented and some pieces are more affordable than you will find in other major galleries. The property is also charming, with lovely plantings and benches out in front. read more

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I had not been to the Art Gallery for sometime. I recall nice interactions and ever changing art. There is high quality diversified art work throughout, well worth the drive whether from Carmel or Pebble Beach. My recent interaction was a puzzle. It was marked by a brief interaction, one marked by vulgarity. The owner needs to raise interactions to a higher level. This is a professional business. read more

After a day of visiting numerous small & wonderful art galleries around Carmel (and experiencing every sales technique imaginable) it was a delight to walk into this large no-sales-pressure gallery which features over 100 artists. Some paintings are on display and others are stacked together for easy browsing by artist. There's a great variety of oils, watercolors, ink and sculptures to view. I noticed most prices were cheaper than the smaller galleries around town. Definitely worth a look. read more

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Wonderful gallery with local artists and great staff. We always visit when we are in Carmel.

We are SO glad that we went to the Carmel Art Association gallery in Carmel. The artists and the artwork are fantastic, and at very reasonable prices compared to the ridiculous prices at the super "upscale" galleries on the main drag. (Anyone stop in at one of the Kincade galleries? $19,000 for a PRINT? You have got to be kidding me. When the sales person told us that price I said "you could buy two used cars for that amount" She didn't look happy, but it's true, and a better use of your money. ) My husband dabbles in watercolor painting and we especially appreciated the room devoted just to watercolor paintings. They also have a section of unframed art. The artists who show their work are all juried, and members of the Art Association. Some of them have their own galleries. This gallery is large, with beautiful natural light, and places to sit and just absorb. The members who work there are so friendly and welcoming, unlike some of the gallery folks who are so "oh we are so much better than you are". The front of the building is a beautiful garden area. Be sure to pay a visit if you are gallery hopping in Carmel, you won't regret it. They have been showing and supporting local, professional artists since 1927. read more

Awesome gallery! I'm amazed at how much they support the youth arts! The youth are the future when it comes to extraordinary art! Will be attending the For The Love of Arts reception today! I can't wait to see all the works of art tuned in for this competition! Exited to see all the Juniors and Seniors art that won! I highly recommend this art gallery to everyone who enjoys beautiful pieces of the mind's imagination! Be sure to stop by while at Carmel by the Sea touring! read more

A superb collection of local artists in this well lit, spacious gallery made it the art highlight of our trip to Carmel. Lots of local art history and knowledgeable staff, too. read more

This is a treasure in CARMEL. Be sure to put it high on your list of must see galleries. Anne Brackett

Impressionism is not exclusively French or European. California has produced many great impressionist painters going back to the later part of the 19th Century. One of my favorites is Evelyn McCormick. She was born in California and studied art in San Francisco and Paris before moving to Monterey after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. She painted oils in an impressionist style of Monterey's historic buildings and adobes. What I like best about her paintings is the sky, a beautiful, azure blue, Monet-like sky, dazzling and bright, heavy with swirling palette and feminine texture, framing everything beneath it, whether a historic building, or a garden, or landscape scenery, in soft and tender light. McCormick was a member of the Carmel Art Association (CAA), which was founded in Carmel in 1927. The CAA included in its membership through the years other great California painters including, among my favorites, Arthur Hill Gilbert (who painted in distinctive yellow and golden hues and green), William Silva (who didn't start painting until he was well past 55), and S.C. Yuan (whose heavy palette reflected a soul heavy with burden), and many others. Tonight I went to the Carmel Art Association for an exhibition of the works of three contemporary CAA painters, Pam Carroll, Miguel Dominguez, and Alicia Meheen. Pam paints in Trompe-l'oeil, which is an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create the illusion that objects appear in three-dimension. There are certain objects that appear as recurrent themes in her paintings, such as toys, fruits, coins, books, various tableware that give her work a very distinctive look. Some paintings that are hyper realistic become works of pure technique devoid of feeling; but, Pam's paintings are charged with human emotion and warmth and reflect her beauty as a woman and artist. She also paints portraits that invariably capture some inner essential quality of those she paints. Here's her self-portrait: http://static2.px.yelp.com/photo/A6_tOTw6csEkKeYCpM8cYg/l Stunning , isn't it....? You can feel the intensity in her eyes. When she paints she's ferocious, tearing away at the veneer on the surface of life to convey some essential magic hidden away in the mundane things that exist around us, things that represent love, friendship, family, hope, the magic of childhood, things that bind us together as human beings and celebrate our differences. On the weekend, when I'm walking through Carmel, I'll occasionally meander into the Carmel Art Association and admire the contemporary art of its current membership hanging on the walls. There are benches in the viewing rooms, just like at the MET, where you can sit and look and meditate on the art or just take a rest... The Carmel Art Association is open to the public. There is no fee to enter. Check it out. And, if you see Pam there, give her my love and best regards... read more

All the wonderful artist showcased in this Carmel historical fixture, make this a must see on any trip to the village. We have purchased many GREAT works here. If you know what you like, you WILL FIND IT HERE! The staff is the best. We love this place so much that we joined the association as non artists from out of the area. We bought an amazing bronze today to add to the many ORIGINAL works on display in our home. Thank you for being here. read more

This is the oldest gallery in Carmel, more like a mini art museum than a typical Carmel gallery. Establish as a non-profit organization. All the artists are from the Monterey area. Wide variety of styles and exhibits change often. Some fun sculptures, oils, watercolors - you name it - it is there. They feature all know books on the local artists. Make sure this 'gallery' is on your Carmel todo list. read more

Wonderful and large assortment of art, some very affordable pieces as well. Can't wait to go back and buy something on my next trip!

For those of us without tens of thousands of dollars to drop on quality art, the Carmel Art Association is a breath of fresh air. Like any art association, you get a mixed bar here, from some very accomplished and skilled artists, to those who are.... well.... less so. They have an interesting room in the back with an enormous number of canvasses that you can tip though, and I've found number of quality pieces this way. The staff is always friendly, and the gallery space is fairly large. All in all, I highly recommend that you drop by the association on your next visit to Carmel. read more

Some of the art is wonderful, but at least an equal amount is mediocre at best. Some of it is downright TACKY. The Early California Impressionists would NOT approve. There is no 'carrying on' of heritage here. Much of the art is very tight w/ a CUTESY theme. You won't find much painterly work with depth, emotion or true color harmony. A few pieces are the exception, such as Johnny Apodaca's work. It seems they have fallen victim to the high rents so are offering what the typical art-ignorant tourists want. What a shame. read more

Unfortunately the Carmel Art Association in violation of the ADA discriminated against those of us with disabilities. I am an artist but unable to view the art there because I was turned away with my service dog despite his appropriate credentials which they refused to look at or acknowledge. It's a shame they are so narrow minded. My advice is to view art elsewhere. read more

I am writing this on behalf on my mother: There are so many reasons for everyone to enjoy the charming village of Carmel, CA. One reason would be that Carmel began as an artists colony. In that tradition there are many galleries. However, the one gallery not to be missed is Carmel Art Association on Dolores between 5th and 6th. Great art from local artists working now! No hustling, just a charming welcome. Outstanding artists' works in an array of styles and mediums. Gorgeous grand scale pieces and a room of small pieces for us collectors with smaller budgets. This is the one art gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea that you must not miss. read more

Friendly staff. Chance to see a lot of beautiful art in a very relaxed setting.