Press Releases

MONTEREY, CALIF.– On December 8, 2010 at 4:30 p.m., Cannery Row will revisit its canning roots when a new mural celebrating Monterey's fishing history is unveiled on a portion of wall remaining from an old cannery on McAbee Beach. The mural, which is a highlight on the newly routed Cannery Row History Walk, depicts two Chinese anglers readying their boat for fishing. The new mural and Cannery Row History Walk are part of the Cannery Row Business Improvement District's (BID) program to interpret Cannery Row's history.

"Cannery Row is the site of so much history – it's seen the rise and fall of the fishing industry, the exploration of marine science and the growth of art and culture. We're so proud of the new mural and the Cannery Row History Walk, which capture so well the unique essence of Cannery Row," said Michelle Knight, President of the Cannery Row Business Improvement District (BID).

Three local artists helped design and implement the mural.Arthur Simons is a writer, and graphic artist who specializes in communications and new media development for the arts, sciences and education. He works for CSU Monterey Bay where he is in charge of web and print publications for grant-funded community art and music projects. Jerry Boyajian is working artist and master sign painter. He learned his craft in the studios of experienced oil painters in New York City. Marie Gilmore is a working artist in production and teaching. Recognized by Congress and Monterey County for her work in teaching youths in the arts, she now focuses mainly in teaching for Monterey County Adult Schools where she is a credentialed Adult School instructor.

For the BID's history interpretation program, local historian, Kent Seavey provided guidance and historic research to portray accurately Cannery Row's fascinating history. The program includes three full-color, narrative murals; 23 street signs chronicling Cannery Row's history; 16 ceramic replicas of cannery labels imbedded in the sidewalk marking their former location; five hand-painted plaques illustrating the principal marine species harvested from Monterey Bay – rockfish, squid, salmon, abalone and sardines; and 39 banners defining the boundaries of historic Cannery Row designed by a young local graphic artist, Renee Krueger.

Mapping it all out is the new Cannery Row History Walk, a walking map for visitors, which includes a map of the murals and various historical markers and sites, a history, a timeline, directions and a even a Canning Label Scavenger Hunt.

###