Art Events
Your endless summer of art
space that hosts several performing groups on a rotating basis. The museum is open afternoons from Wednesday through Sunday. Dive in at www.scal.org, or phone (831) 426-5787.
SOUTH COUNTY
by Elizabeth Ivanovich
anta Cruz County residents have always known that they lived in an artist's paradise. In November 2011, The Atlantic confirmed this impression, surprising the rest of the country. Using methodology dubbed "the location quotient," The Atlantic determined that the Santa Cruz area boasts nearly two and a half times the national average number of artists per capita. This placed our locale fifth on its top ten list, bested only by (in ascending order) Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The aesthetic bounty sometimes overwhelms newcomers to the local scene. Never fear. Here is your primer to the art world of Santa Cruz County and its neighboring cities.
S
SANTA CRUZ
The grande dame of local arts institutions, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History has been revitalized under the direction of Nina Simon. The MAH has expanded its educational outreach and social engagement with visitors, and has added an interactive component to many of its exhibitions. Once you've explored the three floors of fine art and local historical artifacts, step onto the rooftop patio of the Mary and Harry Blanchard Sculpture Garden to enjoy a panoramic view of Santa Cruz. The museum is a mainstay of the First Friday Art Tour, and offers a free Third Friday event of its own (both with extended museum hours). Closed on Mondays, the museum is located at 705 Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz. Phone (831) 429-1964, or visit www. santacruzmah.org for more details. If you're heading to or from the Boardwalk, take a brief detour off Ocean Street to the Santa Cruz Art League. Founded in 1919, the organization presents an average of fourteen art shows a year, including juried exhibitions. Classes and workshops are offered, and membership is open to anyone. The Art League, located at 526 Broadway in Santa Cruz, also boasts a theatrical
As this native eagerly points out, the nearby city of Watsonville received equal billing with Santa Cruz on The Atlantic's list. Exhibitions here overflow their Afterward, a short trip northeast will bring generally compact accommodations with you to the Santa a distinctive sense of Cruz Mountains place. From Thursday Santa Cruz area boasts nearly two through Sunday (hours and a half times the national average Art Center, at 9341 Mill vary), the Pajaro Valley number of artists per capita. Street in Ben Gallery presents Lomond. The rotating exhibitions gallery displays a full range of local art, that emphasize local artists and cultural from paintings to ceramics, glass to diversity. Since this small space could textiles. Classes and lectures round out the never contain all the talent involved, nonprofit organization's offerings. Open several satellite locations come into play. Wednesday through Sunday from noon to For instance, do not miss the annual 6 p.m. Phone (831) 336-3513, or visit www. Sculpture IS show at the Sierra Azul mountainartcenter.org for more information. Nursery and Garden, on the outskirts of town off Highway 152. Every day from 9 There is not enough room to list the county's a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June through October, seemingly countless smaller galleries, visitors can marvel as breathtaking outdoor not to mention the art to be found in its sculptures complement an impressive array nontraditional venues. Take heart: if you of native plants. devote a little time and curiosity to the search, hidden gems are sure to find you. The Pajaro Valley Gallery is located at 37 What are you waiting for? It's time to begin Sudden Street in downtown Watsonville, your artistic pursuit, right here in Santa while the Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden Cruz County! is found at 2660 East Lake Avenue. Pajaro Valley Arts Council: (831) 722-3062. www.pvarts.org for information.
Lundberg Studios a rarity in the industry. A signature piece is the Worldweight, an opalescent paperweight created by the late founder Jim Lundberg, which depicts the globe in dazzling detail. Glassblowing demonstrations are given twice a year, but visitors are welcome at the studios at 131 Old Coast Road daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call toll-free at (888) 423-9711, or visit www.lundbergstudios.com.
AROUND THE COUNTY
Since art flourishes everywhere you go in Santa Cruz County, it's appropriate that two beloved events spread through the entire area. For three whirlwind weekends in October, curious patrons can follow self-guided tours of professional artists' studios as part of Open Studios. The competitive application process means that the artists vary from year to year, but the end result is always an exhaustive showcase of fine art and craft. The first two weekends of October are split between North and South County (each going first on alternate years), with the third weekend usually devoted to a county wide encore. Contact the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County for more information at ccscc.org, or phone (831) 475-9600. If you can't wait for October, the First Friday Art Tour will sate your artistic wanderlust on a monthly basis, year-round. Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts in a partnership with local arts venues, it allows you to explore artistic spaces around the county on the first Friday of each month. Traditional museums and galleries abound, but there is plenty of art to be found at participating shops and restaurants as well. Be sure to grab a copy of the monthly First Friday brochure for full details on that month's offerings. For more information, check out www.firstfridaysantacruz.com.
NORTH COUNTY
Head north of Santa Cruz to Davenport, where Lundberg Studios has flourished since 1970. A staggering array of glass objects, from lamp shades to vases, are produced in an iridescent Art Nouveau style. Every piece of glass is formulated and hand-blown on site, which makes
Haven’t done this page yet
6
SUMMER | 2013
summersantacruz.com
summersantacruz.com
SUMMER | 2013
7