Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation
HISTORY of MPAF: By Artists, For Artists
MPAF Founder
Dick Crispo
By Jan Zeigler
Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation was founded by Dick Crispo, Rudolfo Nava, Ilene Tuttle, and Kay Cline in Dick Crispo's living room in the mid 1970s.
Virginia Morse, an artist who did expressionist portraits, loved MPAF, and was a friend of Dick Crispo's. She left us some money which was carefully shepherded and added to. Virginia Morse was the daughter-in-law of SFB Morse, married to his son John Boit Morse. She died in 1978.
Dick had his lawyer write up articles of incorporation and they applied for a 501c3 status which was achieved by 1981. Membership was open to anyone interested in art whether an artist or not.
After a few years the organization went dormant, but then Dick found Susan Long who brought it back to life. More events, shows, classes and lectures happened. Originally they held lectures and art events, and in the late 90s one member talked the management of Carmel Plaza into letting us show our art in one of their second level empty store fronts rent free. Next we moved to a wonderful store front on the main level but that was short lived as the space was rented and we were again without a gallery.
In October 2001 Susan Long passed away. Charlotte Hallam became president. In late 2002 Dick found the present Cannery Row location which we sublet from Gus McCarthy (the life partner of Dick's uncle, Paul Crispo) who rented the building from Cannery Row Assn, but it would have to be rented and considerable work done. The board figured 30 people paying $50 a month gallery rent would pay the expenses. Renovation money was used from savings and gradually paid back to MPAF savings.
Charlotte sent a newsletter asking who would be willing to commit to a year as a showing member. 28 responded. She made some phone calls and got 2 more artists. The gallery on Cannery Row opened in 2003. As expenses increased, gallery rent was increased to $55 then to $65. Success! Now everybody wanted to be a member of the gallery so an MPAF member-only waiting list was started and folk waited years to get in. This method has been abandoned as we realized people have to be able to run the sales at the gallery, so at this point we are more careful in the selection of gallery members from members of the larger foundation group.
Membership in Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation is still available to anyone interested in art for $20 a year.
Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation was founded by Dick Crispo, Rudolfo Nava, Ilene Tuttle, and Kay Cline in Dick Crispo's living room in the mid 1970s.
Virginia Morse, an artist who did expressionist portraits, loved MPAF, and was a friend of Dick Crispo's. She left us some money which was carefully shepherded and added to. Virginia Morse was the daughter-in-law of SFB Morse, married to his son John Boit Morse. She died in 1978.
Dick had his lawyer write up articles of incorporation and they applied for a 501c3 status which was achieved by 1981. Membership was open to anyone interested in art whether an artist or not.
After a few years the organization went dormant, but then Dick found Susan Long who brought it back to life. More events, shows, classes and lectures happened. Originally they held lectures and art events, and in the late 90s one member talked the management of Carmel Plaza into letting us show our art in one of their second level empty store fronts rent free. Next we moved to a wonderful store front on the main level but that was short lived as the space was rented and we were again without a gallery.
In October 2001 Susan Long passed away. Charlotte Hallam became president. In late 2002 Dick found the present Cannery Row location which we sublet from Gus McCarthy (the life partner of Dick's uncle, Paul Crispo) who rented the building from Cannery Row Assn, but it would have to be rented and considerable work done. The board figured 30 people paying $50 a month gallery rent would pay the expenses. Renovation money was used from savings and gradually paid back to MPAF savings.
Charlotte sent a newsletter asking who would be willing to commit to a year as a showing member. 28 responded. She made some phone calls and got 2 more artists. The gallery on Cannery Row opened in 2003. As expenses increased, gallery rent was increased to $55 then to $65. Success! Now everybody wanted to be a member of the gallery so an MPAF member-only waiting list was started and folk waited years to get in. This method has been abandoned as we realized people have to be able to run the sales at the gallery, so at this point we are more careful in the selection of gallery members from members of the larger foundation group.
Membership in Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation is still available to anyone interested in art for $20 a year.