A new arts and culture group is subtly advancing a right-wing agenda.

At first glance, an event taking place on Thursday, May 16 in Carmel Valley appears to be a neutral discussion, “Offshore Wind Power: Eco Friend or Foe.” “California Arts and Sciences Institute has assembled an elite panel of experts to address our Central Coast concerns,” the event description reads. The photo on the event page shows a dead whale on the sand, captioned to say: “Dead Humpback Whale on Lido Beach, NY, near offshore wind operations.” But according to news reports, the whale was likely struck by a vessel.

That’s just one misleading layer. Read further into the event description and speaker biographies, and the “friend or foe” question is already answered – the point is not to explore whether offshore wind power is good or bad, but to persuade guests it is bad. Panelists are economist David Henderson, who will focus on “possible adverse outcomes to California utility customers.” Environmental scientist C. Michael Hogan “will analyze likely declines in our whale populations.” Nicole Dorfman, “a leader in Central Coast environmental affairs,” will speak on industrialization and damage to fisheries. (Dorfman in fact represents the San Luis Obispo-based REACT Alliance, which serves as a “united voice to oppose the Central Coast Offshore Wind Project.”)

This is just one event in the lineup hosted by the California Arts and Sciences Institute, a nonprofit in its first full year of operation, with events at local venues such as Hidden Valley Music Seminars and Tehama Golf Club, and also Hogan’s home in Scotland – a castle he says was built in 1350. The group has touched upon on a range of topics – artist talks, a panel on AI, the economy.

These events similarly represent themselves in a neutral light. But some reveal themselves to be about promulgating popular conservative views.

For example, in December, Weekly staff writer Agata Pope˛da attended a CASI event in a private home with an ocean view in Carmel Highlands, at the invitation of Hogan. Henderson – who has affiliations with conservative think tanks like the Hoover Institution and was an economic adviser in the Reagan administration – was the speaker in this intimate setting, and he held up a copy of Capital in the Twenty-First Century by French economist Thomas Piketty, which delves into the wealth gap. Henderson’s point was that taxing the rich is a bad idea. “Piketty’s proposed taxes will hit the working class itself,” he told the group of roughly 30 attendees, before asking: “Who in this room thinks they are poor?” It was probably meant as a joke, Pope˛da says. Nobody raised their hand.

Whether the events are big or small, by invitation or open to the public, CASI appears to be not-so-subtly advancing a particular political agenda.

That should perhaps be no surprise. Its board includes Dalila Epperson, a Republican candidate for Congress in 2022 and for State Assembly in 2024 who during the pandemic organized parents to attend school board meetings to advocate for right-wing causes; Lawrence Samuels of the Libertarian Party of Monterey County; and Edward King, a right-wing podcast host. Issues That Matter with Edward King features a range of topics similar to what CASI addresses. The podcast claims it “tackles the concerns of people across all spectrums,” but in one episode, King calls transgender rights a “perversion of our society.”

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a conservative-leaning group hosting events. But CASI represents itself as neutral when it’s anything but. Given the group’s particular interest in outreach to schools – and the efforts of conservative groups to gain control in schools – it’s concerning. (The group is currently sponsoring a student art contest, with a June 15 deadline.)

I asked Hogan, the group’s president and chair, about CASI’s objectives. “We have so much entertainment in Monterey County, but we really need more substantive get-togethers,” he says. He adds the group’s events so far cut across the political spectrum. (When I ask about the offshore wind event, he offers: “You picked the one topic that does have more political implications.”)

What began as a brainstorming session has evolved. It’s important we know what the group’s real agenda is.

Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com