Cabinet, circa 1937

The Oliver family indelibly left a mark on Monterey when they emigrated at the turn of the century. The family established the Mission Art & Curio Store in 1896, shortly thereafter In 1902 opening the first art supply store and gallery on the Peninsula. Their location opposite the Custom House, California’s first Historical Landmark entered 1 June 1932, offered great familiarity and visibility for the burgeoning artist colony Oliver’s establishments became. While the whole family pursued the arts as not only a passion but also a profession, none other than Myron truly adopted the arts in its many forms. Oliver enrolled in graphic design, crafts, and 'mechanical drawing' at Stanford in 1912; he studied under William Merritt Chase at the Carmel Summer School of Art in 1914; and after his graduation from Stanford in 1915 he continued his education at the Art Students League in New York. Upon return to Monterey, Myron took over the family businesses and developed a regular showcase of visiting artist exhibitions and shows. It is here in Monterey, near to her home 'Casa Amesti' where Mrs. Elkins set roots from the Midwest, that she encountered Oliver hosting one of the many art exhibitions he showcased. Frances Elkins wrote of Myron in the Monterey Peninsula Herald, 31 October 1947, "how many persons, seeing our widely recognized artist Myron Oliver selling seashells and advising the public on frames behind the counter o his curio shop on Alvarado Street realize that here is one of the best – perhaps the best – of the country’s cabinet makers?"