It’s First Friday, and tonight there’s many opportunities to experience the work of photographers.

Happy Photo Friday. Agata Popęda here, with a reminder that this weekend belongs to PhotoCarmel 2025, a series of photography-related events and exhibits that will last until early next month. But it’s this weekend when the opening receptions for various photo shows occur in the greatest abundance.

PhotoCarmel 2025 is the Center for Photographic Art’s first attempt to establish an annual photography festival in Monterey County. To learn about the concept, read my introductory story about the festival that includes an interview with CfPA Executive Director Ann Jastrab. I will continue blogging about the festival while it lasts—today I wrote about a CfPA board member and Salinas-based photographer Nancy Savier. You can expect another story—on young Monterey photographer Micheal Scholis—on Monday. 

But who cares about Monday when the weekend is just beginning, with photo exhibits, often combined with an opening reception tonight, in the cities across Monterey County? In Pacific Grove Library there is a reception for the Monterey Peninsula Naturally exhibit by Padre Trails Club—5:30-7pm tonight, April 4, part of First Friday Pacific Grove. 

The Center for Spiritual Awakening in Pacific Grove is opening its Lifting the Veil - Sacred Iconography Exhibit, featuring works by photographers Cynthia Biancetta, Daniel Biancetta, Howard Jones, Richard Owens, Shaheen Schmidt, Sherard Russel and Robert Byers, with a 5-7pm reception tonight.

In Carmel, the opening reception of Ansel Adams’ protege Manuello Paganelli takes place at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts at 5-7pm tonight. And let’s not ignore the festival headquarter itself; the 2025 Members' Juried Exhibition at CfPA in Carmel is available for viewing throughout the weekend.

In Salinas, stop by ArtWorks @Salinas to see works by Lillie Grossman, Sylvia Gardner and Deborah Good. The reception is 5-7:30pm.

At Temple Garage Art Studio in Sand City, there is an opening reception for Fragments of Light, an exhibit by photographer Robert Feist, from 5-9pm. 

Keep in mind that most of the above mentioned exhibits will be available for viewing the whole weekend and in the coming weeks as well, but in some cities, First Friday also includes music, community and more. For a complete guide to Photo Carmel 2025, visit photography.org.