Iconic Monterey County Moments

Local Mask Art Submission Winners

From our famous sea otters and fabled coastal cliffs, to the agricultural beauty that abounds, the iconic and diverse offerings in Monterey County are what make this a remarkable place of inspiration for all. In an effort to preserve and protect our destination, and to encourage responsible (not to mention stylish) mask wearing, Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Arts Council for Monterey County, commissioned four local artists to create inspirational Monterey County moments that were entered into a contest and voted on. All of the winners will be printed on reusable masks that will be available for free at pop-up stations around the county in November.

We received a ton of responses, so without further ado here are the winners:

1st Place Winner

Salinas Valley Farmworkers, Salinas, CA - By Jose Ortiz

Named a champion of the arts by Arts4MC in 1999, Ortiz has spent years pioneering the field of experimental studio space for visual art practitioners. He is the founder and director of Hijos del Sol Arts Productions, a non-profit arts organization based in Salinas. As a lead designer and painter, Ortiz has contributed to more than 70 mural projects throughout Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and San José counties. His Monterey Moment is inspired by the pride his mother had in working as part of  one of the ground lettuce crews in Salinas.

2nd Place

Monterey Sea Otters, Monterey County, CA - By Diane Grindol

A Chicago transplant, Grindol fell in love with the Monterey Peninsula in 1982 and has dedicated years photographing the region. She occupies studio space at ArtWorks in American Tin Cannery building and enjoys acquainting visitors with Monterey’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Grindol’s Monterey Moment is inspired by a photo she snapped of a sea otter and pup cavorting behind the Monterey Bay Aquarium. To capture an otter’s playful and inquisitive nature in the watercolor portrait, she used a crayon resist technique and created texture using salt and rubbing alcohol.

3rd Place

Highway 1, Big Sur, CA - By Beau Frank

Beau Bernier Frank is an oil painter represented by Big Sur, California’s Post Ranch Inn and Australia’s 19 Karen Gallery. Frank is most known for his "Off the Grid" collection featuring a juxtaposition of black and white portraits with colorful landscapes, as well as his "Window" series of landscapes painted on circle canvases highlighting Big Sur and the local area. His Monterey Moment is inspired by a routine Highway 1 drive to Big Sur when he worked at Nepenthe and Post Ranch Inn. With a deep appreciation for the beauty of the area, the scenic vista featured in the artwork can be found at a turn out just past Hurricane Point.

4th Place

Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, CA - By Cheryl Kampe

As a local artist living and working on the Monterey Peninsula, Kampe is known for her landscapes in oil and watercolor. She often finds herself inspired by the beauty surrounding Pacific Grove and uses that inspiration to create artwork that is familiar yet encompasses abstract qualities. Kampe’s Monterey Moment is inspired by Point Pinos Lighthouse. As one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast, she notes the pastel painting captures a quintessential landscape in Monterey County.

Visit Us For A Free Mask

Winners will be printed on reusable masks that will be made available to the public (for free while supplies last) starting the week of November 9, 2020 at specific locations* throughout Monterey County, including:

Big Sur Station Tourist Information Center 47555 Hwy 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Carmel-by-the-Sea Visitor Information Center ​Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

Pacific Grove Visitor Information Center ​100 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Pebble Beach Visitors Center 3297 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce 119 E Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93901

Additional pop-up tables to distribute masks will take place at Old Fisherman's Wharf on Saturday, November 14 and Saturday, November 21 from noon to 2 p.m. while supplies last. 

Starting December 5, 2020, additional masks will be available for purchase in partnership with Monterey Bay Food Tours at their online retail store, with 100% of proceeds benefitting Arts4MC. 

Arts Council for Monterey County's mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in Monterey County through the arts by providing visual and performing arts education to more than 25,000 youth, and Arts as Healing programs to approximately 1,200 seniors, veterans and at-risk youth.

*Check Visitor Information Center websites for hours of operation.