Art

Opening their doors ART

ART TOUR SanDee Adams will be showcasing her mosaic work along with 33 other artists during the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour.

Submitted photo

Nearly three-dozen San Benito County artists participating in tour

By ERIK CHALHOUB

For most people, unintentionally breaking a dish results in one of two emotions: sadness, if it was a valuable plate handed down through the generations, or apathy, if the dish was a mass-produced object that would have eventually found its way in the trash.

But SanDee Adams sees opportunity in the accident.

The Aromas mosaic artist uses recycled and found objects in her mosaic work, among other things. And yes, broken dishes are a big part of that.

“I love dishes,” she said. “You can only have so many dishes in your kitchen cupboard. If you have a broken piece, you can reuse it. I have a lot of people that give me dishes that they break, and I make pieces specifically for them.”

Adams will join 33 other artists who will open their doors to the public during the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour, which runs April 18-19, from 10am to 4pm both days. The Open Studios Preview Exhibition will be on display at the ARTspace ANNEX, 217 Fifth St. in Hollister, from March 6 to April 4. A kickoff party will also be held there on March 20 from 6:30-8:30pm.

The Open Studios, organized by the San Benito County Arts Council, is also made possible by the California Arts Council, Aromas Hills Artisans, Sally Street Studios, Jane Rekedal Pottery, Gayle Sleznick and Vertigo Coffee Roasters.

Arts Council Executive Director Jennifer Laine said the tour is welcoming a number of firsttime participants this year, including muralist David Gutierrez and teaching artist Victoria Murray.

The 34 artists will showcase works in painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more throughout Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas.

Laine said she has seen the tour grow in the decade she has been with the Arts Council. In 2010, the tour had 20 artists participating, and last year it hit a record number of 50.

This year’s 34 is about the average number of participants, as Laine said many of the artists participate every other year because of the amount of time it takes to get their studios prepped for visitors.

The tour sees a mix of people attending from San Benito County as well as from neighboring counties. Laine said visitors on the tour will also check out local establishments while they are in the county. “Not only is it a great way to showcase the talent and diversity we have here in the county, but it is a great event to support tourism in our community as well,” she said.

Adams, who is a member of the Aromas Hills Artisans, will be welcoming eight other Aromas artists into her Carpenteria Road studio to show their work during the tour. With Aromas artists spanning a large geographic area, concentrating them in one space makes it more convenient for visitors, she noted.

Her neighbor will also host four artists.

“I invite as many as I can to my studio to share,” Adams said. “That has been so much fun.”

For information on the Open Studios Art Tour and a map of artists, visit sanbenitoarts.org/ open-studios.

CALENDAR O A &

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BACH TO BLUES Bach to Blues 2020 is Gavilan College’s annual faculty concert with special guests. This fundraising concert showcases regional talent with performing artists including the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition, Gavilan Performance Ensemble and guest artists. All proceeds benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. Bach to Blues 2020 will be held Saturday, March 14, 7pm at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy. For information, visit gavilan.edu/bachtoblues.

weekend of vintage jazz and swing is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a festival that is bringing together the many colorful forms of the roots of early jazz. The festival highlights Dixieland, traditional jazz, swing, gypsy jazz, ragtime, blues and zydeco as dozens of guest bands, artists and youth bands perform throughout the weekend. Jazz Bash by the Bay will be held Friday-Sunday, March 6-8 at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey. For tickets and information, visit jazzbashmonterey.com.

COFFEE WITH A COP All community members are invited to join uniformed members of the local California Highway Patrol office in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, have coffee and build relationships. There are no agendas at this event, just an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. Monday, Mar. 9, 2-4:40pn at Starbucks, 17015 Walnut Grove Dr., Morgan Hill. For information, email cmiceli@chp.ca.gov or call 408.848.2324, extension 211.

MANDALA MAKING Art of Yoga’s Mandala Making event will be a meditative and creative afternoon. Participants will make and take a mandala on a birchwood board. No prior experience necessary; all supplies, including patterns that can be used, will be provided. Wednesday, Mar. 11, 7-9pm at Art of Yoga, 16165 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. For information and tickets, visit artofyogamorganhill.com. Agricultural History Project, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. For information, visit aghistoryproject. org or call 831.724.5898.

DINNER FUNDRAISER The public is invited to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with Operation Freedom Paws at the OFP St. Patrick's Day 2020. Dine on traditional corned beef and cabbage–or Chicken Cordon Bleu with all proceeds benefiting OFP. This non-profit organization matches disabled veterans, adults and children with rescued dogs and trains them together. Saturday, Mar. 14, 6-9pm at Old City Hall Restaurant, 7400 Monterey St., Gilroy. For tickets and information, visit operationfreedompaws.org.

MURDER MYSTERY Friday the 13th is a fine night for a murder, and Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Club invites guests to don their most fabulous 1920s attire and assist in solving “Murder on the Boardwalk: A 1920’s Mystery.” Tickets are $60 per guest, and space is very limited. This murder mystery dinner also features a cocktail hour. Friday, Mar. 13, 6:30-10pm at Old City Hall Restaurant, 7400 Monterey St., Gilroy. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ tmhhuo3.

FAMILY FUN DAY This year Gilroy is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its incorporation as a city. The entire family is invited to enjoy a day of games, food, fun and history at the Gilroy 150 Family Fun Day. Saturday, Mar. 14, 11am-2pm at the Wheeler Community Center, 270 W. Sixth St., GIlroy. For information, visit gilroy150.com.

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY The Agricultural History Project presents Spring on the Farm, a free family event. Attendees can fly kites, snuggle baby animals and visit baby chicks and lambs. Other activities include crafts, a puppet show, tractor driving and hayrides. Saturday, Mar. 14, 11am-3pm at

ROCK MUSICAL The teens of South Valley Community Theater are bringing the story of a smalltown girl, a city boy and a rock n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip to local audiences with its production of Rock of Ages. This performance features a score including hit rock anthems and power ballads such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “I Wanna Know What Love Is” and more. Performances run through Saturday, Mar. 14 at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Road. For tickets, visit svct.org.

COMEDY THEATER Limelight Actors Theater will present its first show of the year, Tigers Be Still. Follow the misadventures of Sherry Wickman, who recently moved back home after earning her master’s degree in art therapy and retreated to her childhood bed until an unexpected employment opportunity gives her a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Guests are invited to bring their own dinner and wine to performances Fridays and Saturdays, Mar. 20-Apr. 11 at Limelight Actors Theater, 7341 Monterey St. For information, showtimes and tickets, visit svct.org/limelight.