Upcoming Events
Bach Festival. Sunset Cultural Center Exhibition
Emile at Sunset Cultural Center in collaboration with the Carmel Bach Festival
Emile Norman (1918-2009)
A selection of sculpture from Emile Norman’s personal collection, 1956-1968, bronze
Slideshow: Historical photographs from Emile Norman’s personal archive, circa 1960
Courtesy of Emile Norman Arts Foundation
This year, we celebrate the long history shared by the Carmel Bach Festival and the late Big Sur-based artist Emile Norman.
Emile was a devoted patron of the Carmel Bach Festival, attending annually from the early 1950s. He became a beloved figure among musicians and attendees from around the world, easily recognized as “the man in the purple beret.”
Bach’s music infused Emile’s artistic life. Whether it was resounding from the speakers that filled every corner of his Big Sur home or played by Emile himself on one of the many instruments he practiced daily, Bach was ever-present.
Audacious in both vision and life, Emile and his life partner, Brooks Clement, commissioned a custom Baroque tracker organ from the Klais Company in Germany in 1969—an instrument much like the one Bach would have composed on. The organ arrived in Big Sur in 1970, along with a company installer, and over several months was housed in a magnificent 10-by-12-foot wooden cabinet designed and inlaid by Emile himself. The cabinet, rich with natural themes inspired by the Big Sur landscape, was specially installed in an acoustic designed concert living room built to honor the instrument’s structure and resonance.
In March 1971, the first concert on the organ was performed by E. Power Biggs, one of the world’s most celebrated organists at that time. Many more memorable concerts followed throughout Emile’s lifetime.
This year in the Sunset Center foyer, we are delighted to exhibit original photographs from Emile Norman’s historic archive as well as a selection of Emile’s bronze sculptures. These works on view have been generously loaned by the Emile Norman Arts Foundation—a Big Sur-based, community led nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining Emile’s home and archives while advancing his legacy.
After many years, the Carmel Bach Festival has joyfully rekindled its connection to Emile’s legacy and the magnificent Klais organ that remains in his Big Sur home.
The Carmel Bach Festival and the Emile Norman Arts Foundation look forward to further collaborations—celebrating a shared belief in the transformative and unifying power of music.
Blue Skies film screening at Henry Miller Library Big Sur
Join us at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur on September 9th, 2023, at 7:00 PM for a magical in-person film screening of "Blue Skies".
As the silver screen comes to life, pay special attention to the epic headdresses crafted by Big Sur artist Emile Norman.
Before the film screening, the Emile Norman Arts Foundation Board will offer a unique look at their developing Artist in Residency program.
ENAF Artist in Residence: Community Project
For the culmination of their time at Emile's, Artists in Residence Peery Sloan and Sean Sweeney have curated an evening at the Big Sur Grange.
Riverside tea ceremony and exhibition ON VIEW seeks to explore the subtler themes inherent to life in Big Sur.
Emile Norman Exhibition at COAST Big Sur
For our first public exhibition of Emile Norman’s work in Big Sur, ENAF is thrilled to bring a special selection of Emile’s work to be exhibited at COAST Big Sur throughout the month of May. COAST Big Sur is not only a beautiful and easily public accessible site in Big Sur, but it also carries quite a legacy in supporting artists in Big Sur for many decades. COAST Big Sur also offers a full restaurant so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon viewing the artwork and dining in the sun overlooking the sea.
The exhibition will take place in the COAST Gallery and will be open to the public Fridays - Sundays, between the hours of 1:00 - 4:00. The exhibition will continue on through the Memorial Holiday of May 30th.
More info about COAST Big Sur HERE
Emile Norman Exhibition Opening Event at COAST Big Sur
ENAF and COAST Big Sur welcome the public to this opening exhibition event where Emile’s work will be exhibited throughout the month of May. See separate Exhibition event listing for more details on the exhibition.
The opening reception event will occur on Thursday May 5th from 5:00 - 7:00.
ENAF will offer a short introduction to the work of the Foundation and of Emile Norman.
Wine and appetizers will be served.
To reserve your space please sign up HERE
Find out more about COAST Big Sur HERE
ENAF Inaugural Event & Emile’s Birthday Celebration
For this years inaugural event and in honor of Emile’s birthday, ENAF will host a film screening of the 2007 bio-documentary film “Emile Norman: By his own design” following a presentation and discussion with the filmmakers. Enjoy an evening under the Big Sur redwoods for this special celebratory event.
Wine, beer, and non alcoholic beverages will be for sale at the Library.
Sunday April 24th, from 7:00 - 9:30 at the Henry Miller Library, 40603 Hwy 1, Big Sur
$20 ticket donation is for purchase online here or at the gate upon arrival.
Find out more about Henry Miller Library HERE
Miller Adobe
Emile Norman Arts Foundation will be hosting a public reception to view a small selection of Big Sur artist Emile Norman’s work.
We invite you to attend at the Miller Adobe, from 1:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, February 26th and Sunday, February 27th. The Miller Adobe is the newest of the oldest Adobes in Monterey. The garden entrance is located on Pacific Street, across from Colton Hall and in between the Monterey Museum of Art and the Gutiérrez Adobe in Monterey.
ENAF seeks to engage the local community with the work of Emile Norman. Those with stories about Emile and his work are invited to record them at this event.
About the Adobe:
The Miller Adobe is a historical Monterey Adobe and was built in 1874. The Miller Adobe was acquired by the Matheson family and is owned by Ravens Path, an organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating properties of historical, ecological, and aesthetic importance on California’s Coast.
For more information visit Ravenspath.org
Miller Adobe
Emile Norman Arts Foundation will be hosting a public reception to view a small selection of Big Sur artist Emile Norman’s work.
We invite you to attend at the Miller Adobe, from 1:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, February 26th and Sunday, February 27th. The Miller Adobe is the newest of the oldest Adobes in Monterey. The garden entrance is located on Pacific Street, across from Colton Hall and in between the Monterey Museum of Art and the Gutiérrez Adobe in Monterey.
ENAF seeks to engage the local community with the work of Emile Norman. Those with stories about Emile and his work are invited to record them at this event.
About the Adobe:
The Miller Adobe is a historical Monterey Adobe and was built in 1874. The Miller Adobe was acquired by the Matheson family and is owned by Ravens Path, an organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating properties of historical, ecological, and aesthetic importance on California’s Coast.
For more information visit Ravenspath.org