Century of Creativity
1926 — 2031
A century of creativity begins.
Sunset Center is marking a century of creativity — a five-year campaign honoring our history from 1926 schoolhouse to the completion of the theater in 1931, and everything the community has built here since.
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Press conference & ribbon-cutting.
Sunset Center officially launched its Century of Creativity on Wednesday, August 26, with a well-attended press conference and ribbon-cutting celebrating the 100th anniversary of the historic 1926 Sunset School building and the beginning of a five-year journey toward the theater's centennial in 2031. More than 80 community members, civic leaders, arts supporters and special guests attended the event, presented in partnership with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. The celebration included proclamations and recognition from elected officials and communities throughout Monterey County, as well as a special plaque presented by the office of State Senator John Laird. The strong turnout underscored Sunset Center's importance not only to Carmel-by-the-Sea, but to the greater Monterey County community. Sunset Center's original centennial outreach specifically invited elected officials to recognize August 26 as "Sunset Cultural Center Centennial Day" and the Center's century of service, artistic excellence and community enrichment.
The event also generated meaningful visibility for the launch of Century of Creativity, with strong interest from local media, community partners, elected officials and arts supporters throughout Monterey County. Remarks from Executive Director Beth Bowman, Artistic Director Christine Sandin and Board Vice Chair Graeme Robertson helped tell the story of Sunset Center's evolution from a 1926 schoolhouse into one of the region's most important performing arts and community gathering places. The campaign and launch were further amplified through Sunset Center's community partners and regional organizations, helping extend awareness well beyond those who attended the event.
Overall, the press conference provided a strong and celebratory kickoff to the five-year Century of Creativity campaign, building awareness and momentum for the years ahead. The August 26 gathering successfully brought together community leaders, supporters and partners to recognize Sunset Center's remarkable first century while looking ahead to the theater's 100th anniversary in 2031. That momentum now carries into the next major milestone: the free Centennial Community Celebration on Sunday, October 25, when Sunset Center will once again welcome the community to celebrate its history, creativity and future.
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Photos thanks to Carlos Salinas.
You're sitting in 100 years of stories.
Maybe you learned to read in these rooms. Maybe you stepped on to this stage for the very first time. Maybe you ushered a hundred performances, or simply have a memory of this place you've never forgotten. Your story become part of Sunset Center's centennial archive — and helps shape the next hundred years.
Takes only a few minutes.
Join us for the kick-off community celebration!
Three hours, totally free, and designed with every generation in mind — an open house across the campus, with the schoolhouse history on display, the theater doors open, and Carmel's makers and neighbors filling the plaza.
1 - 4 PM | Free | Sunset Center campus