When it comes to the arts, one of the things that makes for a powerful experience is the forging of a connection — to the imagery depicted, the music you hear, or the voice of the artists themselves. At Montalvo, one of our goals in presenting art and engaging with our community is to establish ourselves as a place where you can see yourself reflected in the world.

During September, we celebrated National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month with the help of mixed media artist Hector Dionicio Mendoza. Using Mendoza’s Montalvo installation Creando Espacio as a launching point, the night brought together artists, performers, and patrons from the Latinx community and beyond who were entirely new to Montalvo to have earnest conversations about the arts, belonging, and their lived experiences in the Bay Area.

Projects and collaborations like this are just the beginning. In the coming months, we will organize a community council to help guide Montalvo’s program plans over the next few years as we continuously strive to deepen public engagement. The possibilities for the future are so exciting, but your support is needed to help bring diverse and inclusive arts experiences to our community!

Thank you for believing in the power of art to help us truly see what is familiar and what is possible.

Let the spirit of aloha warm your soul this winter! On Saturday, January 15 at 7:30pm, don't miss Legends: Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono in our indoor Carriage House Theatre.

Both Beamer and Kapono are among the most respected masters of Hawaiian music. When they share the stage with lovely hula dancer (and wife of Keola) Moanalani Beamer, they will transport you with their lyrical slack-key stylings!

In celebration of the holidays and the new year, our staff offices will be closed from Friday, December 24 – Sunday, January 9. But don't let that keep you from exploring Montalvo! Our gates will be open during normal hours (9am–5pm) for visitors to our gardens and trails.

Please note that we will also be having some work done on our exit road from December 27–30, and parking will be limited to Lot 1 during that time. For more information about visiting and other upcoming closures, click here.

While our offices are closed, you can expect email, social media, and phone responses to be slower than usual, but we promise to get back to you as quickly as we can after we return. In the meantime, we hope you have a warm and festive holiday season. Click the button below to see what we have coming up on our calendar, and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!