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New Monterey Museum of Ar t Director Inspired by Facility SHORTCUTS ART 50 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 W hen she first visited the Monterey Museum of Art (MMA), Charlotte Eyerman, Ph.D., watched the installation of intricate salt designs for Motoi Yamamoto's Return to the Sea, Saltworks. Three months later, as the exhibition closed, she returned as the museum's newly appointed executive director. "I was really attracted to the energy of the community," says Eyerman, who most recently developed educational programs, exhibitions and exchanges with 26 major museums as North American director of FRAME (French Regional American Museum Exchange). She has consult- ed with and curated for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Saint Louis Art Museum and J. Paul Getty Museum, among oth- ers. She also taught at New York's Union College and has penned books, directed galleries and led museum tours in Europe. While Eyerman values each of her professional experiences, she prefers the opportunities afforded by museums. "I believe in the mission of museums. It's about connecting people of all backgrounds and levels of experience with art," she says. In their search for a director, MMA trustees sought someone passionate about community engagement and poised to move the facility forward. "Charlotte is excited about Monterey, excited about the museum, excited about the history and excited about geography. She has a spark and an enthusiasm for the community that felt really unique, and those were elements we really rallied around in making this decision," says Melissa Mileff Burnett, MMA board president. Eyerman's appointment comes as the museum celebrates 55 years, and as curators continue finding creative ways to present the permanent col- lection and rotating exhibitions. "I'm really interested in the relationship between the past and present, and the way that different kinds of art can talk to each other across time," Eyerman says. "That's particularly relevant to us here on the Monterey Peninsula. We have a strong historical identity as an artist's colony and it's still a very vibrant place for art and production today." For museum hours and additional information, visit www.montereyart.org or call 831/372-5477. —Renee Brincks Charlotte Eyerman, new director of the Monterey Museum of Art, stands in front of the exhibit "Extraordinary People — Portraits by Yousuf Karsh," which is on display through March 31st. Eyerman has a long history of art and museum direction. Photo: Kelli Uldall 046-76 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 1/24/14 9:05 AM Page 3