Summer 2025

C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 115 Peninsula permanently, he was a high school jun- ior enrolled at Pacific Grove High, with hopes of being an illustrator or fine artist. “I was painting fantasy art at that time,” he says,“and having experienced the ancient depth of European art, had no idea that California had a rich artistic history as well.” That soon changed. Attending an exhibit of early Monterey artist Charles Rollo Peters (1862- 1928) at the Monterey Museum of Art opened up that world to him and set him on the trail that he blazes today. “I walked in and saw these bold, brooding paint- ings—moonlit scenes of old Monterey adobes, cypress trees—that reminded me of European works.” Inspired by the exhibit, he rushed down the street to the Monterey library and began his study of the painters who populated the area in the early 20th century: artists such as Peters, William Ritschel, Armin Hansen, Percy Gray and Mary DeNeale Morgan, to name a few. “I’d say over 80 percent of visitors who come through my door have no idea that Carmel was an important art colony even before being established as an incorporated city, and nearly everything that makes Carmel unique today stems back to that art colony,” Turner says. He takes great pride and joy in sharing his vast knowledge with others. “It’s heartening to see the genuine interest and enthusiasm in folks of all ages and walks of life when I share this histo- ry. I find it particularly important to continue operating my gallery this way, in large part because we don’t have a museum here in Carmel despite our rich and important past.” Yes, the Carmel Art Association (of which Turner is vice president and chair of the recently formed History and Legacy Committee) quite actively promotes both past and present artists, but a true museum has yet to become a reality. “Though there are close to 80 art galleries here, there are only a few left that feature early California art,”Turner says. “Without a museum, I feel the onus lies on us to share our history.” The Joaquin Turner Gallery recently relocated to much larger digs at the entrance to Su Vecino Courtyard on Dolores Street between 5th and 6th Avenues (previously occupied by Rieser Fine Art). A visit and conversation with the artist will take one to another place and time, captured in oil on canvas by some of the greatest artists of their generations—including the gallery’s pro- prietor. It’s time well spent. The Joaquin Turner Gallery 10th Anniversary Celebration will take place on August 30 from 4-7 pm. For more information, call 831/869-5564 or visit www.joaquinturner.com . Unique in Carmel, Turner is both an artist and a dealer in early California art. His gallery features his own work alongside the works of the artists who painted in the Monterey and Carmel art colonies from 1875 to 1950. Now celebrating 10 years in business, Turner has carved a niche as one of the area’s preeminent authorities on early California artists.