Artifacts: Al Weber's passing, and other events in the artistic sector.

First, a look back. Anthony Mournian sent this message: “I come with sad tidings. [Photographer] Al Weber passed away early Saturday morning… If you have words, pictures or thoughts about Al and care to share them, please send them to me at AnthonyMournian@gmail.com.”

Here are some words: Al’s aerial photographs are sublime.

The Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau has commissioned nature photographer and American Forests artist-in-residence Chuck Fazio (and local students he will deputize) to shoot… what else?… Monterey County. By land, by sea, by air, they will “tell the story of Monterey County.” He was given 96 hours to shoot the photos that will comprise an art show that will go up at Wave Street Studios this Friday and Saturday. It’s a true pop-up photography show. colleenchennews@gmail.com.

On Saturday, 4-6pm, Marjorie Evans Gallery at Sunset Center holds the opening reception for Matthew Olyphant’s The City, travel paintings of shape and movement that “explore the tensions that often exist between humans and their surrounding environment.” 620-2042, gina@sunsetcenter.org.

The Steinbeck Center is looking for more writing coaches to staff up and help area students in their Day of Writing program on March 7. Contact Austin at 775-4728 or austin@steinbeck.org.

Tickets are on sale for the Leon Panetta Institute’s 2016 Lecture Series at Sunset Center, revolving around the theme “An American in Renaissance or Decline? The Challenges Facing a New President.” Donald, you don’t have to stay for this. The first installment comes 7pm March 14 with “War, Terrorism and Other Global Threats” with national security expert Mike Rogers, Ambassador Wendy Sherman, and U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno. 582-4200, www.PanettaInstitute.org.

In last week’s Artifacts column, I referred to architect Edward Durell Stone’s design for Seaside City Hall as having a “Greek facade.” Michael Wildgoose, who is steeped in Seaside lore and culture, respectfully disagreed: “Stone thought himself a great Modernist and rejected the Classical almost totally.” But compare the building to, say, the Parthenon, which was built as an homage to Athena, goddess of reason. And think about how a government is (ideally) predicated on reason. Can Stone have really not been referring to the Greeks when he designed Seaside City Hall? What do you, the people, say?