Exhibitions

The Cherry Center Gallery hosts original exhibitions of painting, sculpture, fine craft, assemblage, photography, and works by founder Jeanne D’Orge. New gallery exhibits are offered year-round, showcasing local and visiting artists.

Events

Cherry Hall Theater is a 50-seat venue that is home to original theater productions staged by the center and visiting theater companies, concerts, lectures, readings, film series, workshops, and panel discussions. Past special events include Jazz at The Cherry, an ongoing live music series; Smart Shorts, a digital film festival; Composers at The Cherry, a panel discussion of world-renowned composers who reside in Monterey County; and annual fundraisers The Cherry Jam (summer) and Make Merry at The Cherry (winter).

Educational Programs

The Cherry Center recognizes the talent of Monterey County high school art students in our yearly exhibition, Thinking Out Loud. The exhibit features over 100 works across a wide range of media that include painting, drawing, sculpture and collage. The Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards were established in 1996 as a collateral program to Thinking Out Loud. The program recognizes and promotes excellence in poetry writing through in-class workshops led by Patrice Vecchione, the center’s Poet-in-Residence. A cash award, certificate of merit, and anthology featuring the year’s award-winning poems are presented during a ceremony held each spring in the center’s gallery.