Landscape ReEnvisioned brings together six artists whose experimental approaches invite visitors to rediscover the enduring power of the natural world. Presented at the Monterey Museum of Art from January 29 to April 26, 2026, the exhibition reflects a shared commitment to expanding landscape photography beyond convention, blending beauty, reflection, and environmental awareness. Each artist contributes a distinct sensibility, offering perspectives that honor both the majesty and the vulnerability of the environments that shape our lives.
Debra Achen, raised in western Pennsylvania and now rooted on California’s central coast, draws inspiration from the textures and rhythms of the natural world. Her background in studio arts and traditional darkroom practice informs a body of work that balances craft and quiet observation. Recognized with the 2024 Artist Grant for Landscape Photography from the Center for Photographic Art, Achen continues to explore themes of transformation through series such as
Folding and Mending, while her publications and exhibitions reflect a sustained dedication to visual storytelling.
Tony Bellaver brings decades of experimentation to the exhibition, shaped in part by formative years working in the darkroom at the
Ansel Adams workshops. His commitment to alternative processes has guided a practice that merges photography with mixed media, resulting in work that feels both tactile and exploratory. Exhibited widely across California and beyond, Bellaver’s vision remains anchored in curiosity and craft.
Adrienne Defendi approaches landscape through the lens of memory and impermanence. Her work often weaves together analog methods, printmaking, and sculptural elements to explore cycles of change. Her exhibitions and curatorial projects reflect an ongoing engagement with themes of loss, renewal, and the passage of time.
Charlotte Schmid-Maybach expands the photographic form by incorporating textile traditions into her practice. Influenced by years of documentary work and international field photography, her pieces marry materiality with narrative, creating layered works that echo personal and cultural histories.
A longtime educator and advocate for photographic arts, Brian Taylor contributes images shaped by historic processes and inventive material combinations. His works, held in major international collections, stand as reminders of photography’s enduring capacity for reinvention.
Vincent James Waring completes the group with works rooted in the ecology of California’s diverse landscapes. Blending traditional and experimental approaches, he reveals the subtle relationships between natural systems and human experience, offering reflections that are both intimate and expansive.
Image:
Debra Achen - Wings of Resilience, 2025
Archival pigment print collage, 28 x 34 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. © Debra Achen