Marjorie Evans Gallery - Current Exhibit

Sunset Center Centennial:

Originally built in 1926 as the new home of Sunset School, this campus served generations of Carmel students before evolving into one of California's premier performing arts venues. Today, Sunset Center fulfills its mission to enrich lives through the arts by presenting acclaimed musicians, theater productions, distinguished speakers, educational programs, and community events, while preserving one of the region's most treasured cultural landmarks.

Presented in celebration of Sunset Center's Centennial, this exhibition explores the building's origins as a neighborhood school and marks the beginning of Our Century of Creativity, a multi-year commemoration honoring two milestones on one beloved campus. In 2026, Sunset Center celebrates the 100th anniversary of its historic 1926 school building, now known as the North Wing. The celebration will culminate in 2031 with the centennial of the theater, whose landmark auditorium first welcomed audiences in 1931.

Drawn from the Carmel Public Library's archives, these historic photographs offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the students and teachers who once filled these halls. Together, they celebrate a century of learning, artistic expression, and community, honoring the generations whose lives have shaped Sunset Center's enduring legacy.

As you explore the exhibition, we invite you to become part of that story. Sunset Center has always belonged to the community, and every memory adds another chapter to its history. Whether you learned to read in these classrooms, stepped onto this stage for the first time, volunteered behind the scenes, attended a memorable performance, or simply carry a Sunset story you've never forgotten, we invite you to share it. Share your story here to contribute your memories to Sunset Center's Centennial Archive and help preserve this remarkable history for generations to come.

Explore the Carmel Public Library's Sunset Center Collection, featuring the history of Sunset Center as a school, photographs from the exhibition, oral history interviews with former students, archival collections, and more:

https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/sunset-school-sunset-center-collection

About the Marjorie Evans Gallery:

The Marjorie Evans Gallery at Sunset Center fosters the creative spirit of the Central Coast by providing a dynamic and high-visibility venue for visual artists from across the region. Each year, through a competitive selection process that draws a wide pool of talented applicants, individual artists or arts collectives are selected to exhibit their work in professionally curated shows.

Each exhibition runs for two months and includes promotional support and access to a reception space with event setup and staffing offered at no cost to the artist. This ensures equitable access for both emerging and established artists, while fostering meaningful engagement between the public and the creative community.

Located in the north wing of Sunset Center, the Marjorie Evans Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, as well as during all public performances and events. Thousands of visitors pass through the venue annually, encountering a vibrant range of artistic expression across diverse mediums. While many works are available for purchase, all sales are handled directly between the artist and buyer, supporting independent artists and encouraging personal connection.

More than an exhibition space, the Marjorie Evans Gallery is an invitation to explore, reflect, and connect. As a key part of Sunset Center's Education & Outreach initiatives, the gallery expands access to the arts and helps preserve the rich cultural fabric of our region.

This program is made possible through generous contributions to our Education & Outreach Fund. Your support helps keep this space free and accessible to all. Donate today to sustain the work of the artists who inspire us all.

For more information, email info@sunsetcenter.org or call/text the Box Office at 831.620.2048.

Click here to take a virtual tour of a former exhibit in the Marjorie Evans Gallery.