Century of Creativity
1926 — 2031
Chapter one is written.
Help us write the next.
A hundred years ago, Carmel children walked through these doors for their first day at Sunset School. This fall, their grandchildren, neighbors and a few of those same children came back to celebrate. Century of Creativity is Sunset Center's five-year celebration of two centennials: the 1926 schoolhouse and the theater that followed in 1931.
By the numbers...
- 700+ friends and neighbors at the Centennial Community Celebration
- 35+ community organizations, artists and youth groups on campus
- $1.5 million five-year goal to carry Sunset Center into its next century
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The story so far.
Aug. 26 | The doors opened to the next century.
On the morning of Aug. 26, more than 80 civic leaders, artists and longtime friends gathered on the Sunset campus to cut the ribbon on Century of Creativity, presented with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. Elected officials from across Monterey County brought proclamations, and the office of State Senator John Laird presented a commemorative plaque. Executive Director Beth Bowman, Artistic Director Christine Sandin and Board Vice Chair Graeme Robertson told the story of how a 1926 schoolhouse became one of the Central Coast's great gathering places.
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Photos thanks to Carlos Salinas.
Oct. 25 | The whole town came home.
Then on a sunny Sunday in October, Sunset Center opened every door. More than 700 people came, and they brought their kids, their grandparents, their dogs and their stories. The theater doors stayed open. The Youth Music Monterey Brass Ensemble played, DJ Paul Wylde spun vinyl on the plaza, and artist Valentine painted a piece from start to finish while people watched. Children painted pumpkins with Yoga Shala, and the hot dogs ran out faster than anyone planned.
Around the campus, Sunset Remembers told a century of stories in photographs and words. Guests added their faces to the Legacy Wall, led by artist in residence Sally Russell, so this moment becomes part of the record, too. Supervisor Kate Daniels presented a proclamation from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors recognizing a Century of Creativity, and KSBW carried the celebration on both the 6 and 11 p.m. news.
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With thanks to the 35+ Resident Companies, youth arts groups and community partners who filled the campus, and to the Carmel Pine Cone, Monterey County Weekly, 94.7 KRML and 90.3 KAZU for spreading the word.
All year | One hundred years, your stories.
Since the campaign began, Sunset School alumni, performers, volunteers and neighbors have shared their memories in their own words. A tarantula named Oscar who escaped in the eighth grade. A wedding 70 years after a mother's first day of school. A darkroom in the basement where Cole Weston printed. Read them all on the Sunset Stories page, and add yours.
More to come.
2027 | The next chapter.
The centennial keeps going! In 2027, Sunset Center will host a ribbon cutting and its first Century of Creativity fall gala, an evening to celebrate the people and the stories that have carried Sunset for a hundred years. Details are coming soon, and the people on Sunset's email list will hear first.
Share your story.
You're part of 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.
Be part of history.
Keep the doors open for the next generation.
Every child who walks into Sunset for a first concert, a first class or a first rehearsal is starting a story we may read in 2126. Century of Creativity sets out to raise $1.5 million over five years to keep the doors open, the lights on and the stage set for the next generation of artists and audiences. A gift today becomes part of Sunset's next century.
Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax ID 52-2404864. Questions about giving or naming opportunities: 831-620-2040.