Winter 2025

T he newest entry in a long line of distin- guished galleries in town, Carmel Modern also represents a growing trend of artist-owned galleries. “There were two artists’ works repre- sented when we opened in April 2025, mine and Lucas Blok’s,” owner John Cromwell says. Today, there are two additional: Tracey Adams and Jim Dultz. Cromwell and Blok are members of the venerated Carmel Art Association. Cromwell studied art in college while simul- taneously operating a print shop. “I realized I needed to know accounting, and I switched QENSVW 8LEX PIH XS E HITEVXYVI JVSQ ½RI EVX ERH MRXS ½RERGI 1] XLIWMW [EW SR MRZIWXMRK in art.” He eventually had an investment bank in Palo Alto, and he and his wife relocated to Carmel in 2020. But he never lost his passion for painting and continued to do so in his spare time. Now, he’s free to work at the easel full time and to operate his gallery. Carmel Modern plans to curate special shows three to four times each year. The current offering is “Winter Light” which runs through January 6. “We will feature 14 artists, most local, but a few from the Bay Area,” Cromwell explains. Carmel Modern is located on Sixth Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln in Carmel-by-the- Sea. For more information, visit www.carmelmod- ern.art or call 831/250-7540. From Fine Ar t to Finance and Back Again B Y M I CHA E L CHAT F I E LD SHORT CUTS ARTS 76 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 John Cromwell, owner of Carmel Modern, with one of his own abstract paintings. Along with his work, Cromwell represents Lucas Blok, Tracey Adams and Jim Dultz. Photo: Kelli Uldall