Description

The celebrated cultural exhibition Alebrijes & Nahuales: Fantastic Animals from Mexico continues to bring joy and pride to Salinas with the grand opening of a special miniature exhibit at One Main Street, home of the National Steinbeck Center. On Friday, August 7, 2026, the public is invited to celebrate the official launch of an indoor exhibition featuring 30 miniature Alebrijes & Nahuales created by Oaxacan master artisans, along with an outdoor monumental sculpture sponsored by the Arts Council for Monterey County.

The grand opening festivities kick off as part of First Fridays Salinas at 4:45 PM and will feature live cultural performances, remarks from project leaders, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, and an exclusive nighttime viewing.

Event Details & Schedule of Activities

Location: One Main Street, Salinas, CA

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM | Opening Performance (One Main Street Stage): Cultural performance by 2026 Champion of the Arts™ La Guelaguetza Salinas.

5:15 PM – 5:45 PM | Formal Program & Proclamations (Salinas Room). Distinguished Guests Include:

• Master of Ceremonies, Esmeralda Montenegro Owen
• Leonard Batti, SVCC Board Chair
• Colleen Bailey, President/CEO, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Dennis Donohue, Mayor of Salinas
• Romain Greco, Artistic Producer
• Neftali Said Pérez González, Consul General de México
• Marta Turok Wallace, Executive Director, Institute of Mexican Culture
• Carlos Cortez, Board Chair, Salinas Public Arts Commission
• JC Gonzalez, Curator of the Small Animal Exhibition and Founder & Artistic Director, Urban Arts Collaborative
• Sandra Santos, President, Organización Valles Centrales and Organizer of La Guelaguetza in Salinas
• Erin White, Presenting Sponsor, Hospice Giving Foundation

5:45 PM | Official Ribbon Cutting

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Exclusive Nighttime Viewing (Gallery One Exhibition): Experience the vibrant colors of the mini sculptures in a special evening showcase featuring curated tours and activities. 

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Live Entertainment (One Main Street Stage): Live music featuring the Latin Jazz Collective.

This unique cultural initiative represents a major collaborative effort dedicated to bringing world-class art inspired by Mexican heritage to the local community, serving as a powerful driver of cultural tourism while honoring Salinas' largest demographic with roots in Mexico.

Sponsors & Venue Partners

This landmark initiative is made possible through the generous support of key community partners and sponsors:

Sponsors & Presenting Partners: City of Salinas, Hospice Giving Foundation, Mag One Media, Arts Council for Monterey County, Hampton Inn, Green Rubber Kennedy and Ag, San Andreas Entertainment, and Monterey Museum of Art.

Venue Partners: Northridge Mall, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, National Steinbeck Center, Hartnell College Foundation, One Main Street, Vineyard Church, and Star Market.

To learn more about the exhibition and upcoming programming, visit https://www.salinaschamber.com/alebrijes-y-nahuales/.