Lecture on E. Charlton Fortune Scheduled in Monterey

May 2018, Monterey, CA.  For the fifth year, Old Monterey Foundation is pleased to launch its season of free lecture events as part of its 2018 Lecture Series sponsored by The Marcia F. Devoe Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

AT A GLANCE:

What: “E. Charlton Fortune: The Colorful Spirit”

This informative lecture will be given by Scott Shields, Ph.D.  Dr. Shields is the Associate Director and Chief Curator at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. He will chronicle E. Charlton Fortune’s fascinating biography and colorful artistic legacy through stories, anecdotes and powerful paintings.

The Monterey Museum of Art will feature an exhibit of E. Charlton Fortune paintings on exhibit from May 24 through August 27, 2018 (www.montereyart.org).

Bill Wojtkowski, President of the Old Monterey Foundation Board of Directors, will also present a short overview of improvements accomplished and planned for the Lower Presidio Historic Park.

When: Friday, June 8, 2018 – 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Where: Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey

Free Admission – Reception to follow.

Important: While this lecture, like others in the past, is free to the public, attendees must have a ticket.  Tickets are obtained by going to www.montereyart.org; select “Events”; next, find “Scott Shields, Ph.D. on…” and select “Learn more”.  At the bottom of the new page you will notice the information about tickets.  Those who are not members of the Monterey Museum of Art can select “Old Monterey Foundation members” or “general admission”.

For more information about Old Monterey Foundation, call (831) 346-3030 or visit www.oldmontereyfoundation.org

The lectures are very popular so attendees are urged to come early to secure a seat.

This lecture is suitable for ages 9 and up.

About Old Monterey Foundation

The Old Monterey Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed on February 14, 2011, with the specific mission and purpose of promoting, supporting and enhancing the artistic, cultural and historic environment of historic Downtown Monterey, California.  The group is well known for their work with the Art-in-the-Adobes event that was held from 2011-2013 as well as other fundraisers, lectures and events.  Its private/public partnership with the City of Monterey heralds a new way of doing public business in a State strapped to find funds for park operations and expansions.

The Lower Presidio Historic Park, described as “The Most Historically Significant Site on the West Coast” and “One of the Most Beautiful Places in Monterey”, is becoming a true historic public park to be enjoyed by locals and visitors. Old Monterey Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Monterey, has raised initial funds to complete Phase One of the project to enhance and restore this historic 25.3-acre site. In 2017, it installed eight new interpretive signs, a white wooden perimeter fence, and two new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible pathways of the Harbor Trail which extends to the Serra Monument and the Vista Trail that goes up the hill to the Sloat Monument.  Old Monterey Foundation is continuing to seek public donations to help complete Phase One of the project, which will improve amenities around the Park with picnic tables, benches, directional signs, and a sidewalk connecting the two trails.  Plans for other improvements, including rebuilding the stables and incorporation of the adjacent Viscaino Park are in the works.

Many local organizations have played a role in the development of this project including Old Monterey Foundation, the Neighborhood Improvement Program, City of Monterey, Rotary Club of Monterey, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Presidio of Monterey and Granite Construction. The project is funded by the City of Monterey’s Neighborhood Improvement Program.

The Lower Presidio Historic Park is one of the least-visited historic parks in the area due to some confusion about whether the public is allowed in the area.   Situated in a “hidden in plain sight” location, the Park can be found above Pacific Street at the Lighthouse Curve in Downtown Monterey. The park features spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Harbor and will become a jewel of the City of Monterey’s park system.

Old Monterey Foundation invites everyone to become members of “Friends of the Lower Presidio” at  www.oldmontereyfoundation.org and make tax-deductible donations to more quickly restore the park.

The City of Monterey Outreach Office produced an informative short video about the Lower Presidio Historic Park and its significance to California and American history:  https://youtu.be/Lg7X0spnC4k.

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