S.C. Yuan

Carmel Art Association (on Dolores Street between 5th and 6th, Carmel) is celebrating its 98th birthday this August. To direct a spotlight on the upcoming milestone (100 years in 2027), the gallery is now exhibiting, under a “Countdown to 100 Years” slogan, historic and vintage artworks created by late CAA artist members—all available for acquisition. Born in China and trained by a Chinese artist in the classical French style, S.C. Yuan (1911-1974) moved to California and joined the CAA, working on the Monterey Peninsula for the next 25 years. His bold, thick application of paint and his broad, expressive brushstrokes reflected the artist’s wide-ranging moods. His studio was always in disarray, he didn’t clean his brushes, and he used paint sludge to start each new canvas. In September 1974, Yuan installed his last show at the CAA. Two days later, he died.