6 minute read
Cover Story
from Aptos Life September 2021
by Weeklys
BIRD WATCHING Andree LeBourveau’s “Booted” (left) and a similarly themed sculpture from Gail Ritchie (right) are part of Cabrillo Gallery’s ‘Adaptations’ exhibit.
| APTOS LIFE SEPTEMBER 2021 4
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Fall Reawakening
Aptos’ Cabrillo Gallery opens annual staff and faculty exhibit
Fall is quickly approaching, and with it comes a new slate of art events throughout Santa Cruz County. From online galleries to in-person exhibitions, things are moving forward in the local arts scene after over a year of pandemic closures.
In Santa Cruz, the Museum of Art & History is slowly reopening their museum with new and ongoing shows, as well as the second biennial event, “Frequency: A Festival of Light, Sounds & Digital Culture” Sept. 16-19. In Watsonville, Pajaro Valley Arts continues its outdoor sculpture exhibit, “Sculpture Is,” through the end of October, and has opened a new metalwork exhibit entitled “Reflections.”
The ever-popular Open Studios Santa Cruz County event returns Oct. 2-17, inviting residents to visit and engage with local artists at their own personal studios.
Meanwhile, here in Aptos, Cabrillo College has kicked off its first show of the school year. Faculty and staff from the school’s visual arts department are being highlighted with the opening of “Adaptations: Cabrillo College Art, Photography & Art History Faculty & Staff
Exhibition.” The show launched virtually Aug. 23 via the gallery’s website, and includes screen printing, painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, metalwork and more.
Program Coordinator Victoria May said that the gallery tries to hold some type of faculty show every year. It gives teachers and staff the opportunity to display their work, but also lets students and the greater community see what these artists create outside of the classroom.
“Sometimes, teachers tend to be modest in sharing their own work,” May said. “This [show] is an opportunity for people to see what these teachers pour their heart into, while finding some inspiration.”
Much of the work that comes out of these types of shows can be very personal, she added, which is not something students regularly see from their instructors.
“Remember when you’re a kid, seeing your teacher outside of school, in a store or something?” May said. “And you’re like, ‘Oh, they go shopping, too?’ I think that can still happen at the college level. It’s awesome to see what your teachers practice—their style, the way they work, how they approach subject matter. That in itself can be fascinating.”
May said that while the show does not have a specific theme, she has noticed a lot of nature-themed work, including pieces on how people are concerned about or taking solace in nature, and how humans interact with it.
“We’ve also had a few pieces that are about Covid,” she said. “It’s been very interesting to see how people are dealing with that. In indirect ways, they’re examining where they are, the psychological fallouts.”
“Adaptations,” as well as the gallery’s next show, will be virtual. Because the initial plan from the college was to be online for the Fall 2020 semester, Cabrillo Gallery had applied for and received a grant for an extensive lighting replacement project for their facility, located on the bottom floor of the library building at the school’s Aptos campus.
“Since we were closed anyway, we thought, ‘Let’s just do this,’” May said.
When the project is complete, May, along with Gallery Director Beverly Rayner and school officials, will decide on whether they should open the space for the annual “12x12” exhibit at the end of the semester.
“We’ll have to reassess, and see where we are,” May said. “We just want to be sure to do things in the safest way possible.”
Their next show,“Moving Images: Pause… Restart” will launch Oct. 4. Juried by Clark Buckner, the director of Telematic Media Arts in San Francisco, the exhibit will feature short videos and other types of moving artwork.
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St., Santa Cruz
“The Art of the Santa Cruz Speed Wheel”
Step into the studio of legendary Santa Cruz artist Jim Phillips, creator of the iconic Screaming Hand artwork, and browse work largely unseen since 1984. Show runs through Jan. 2, 2022. Museum entry is $10 for adults, $5 for kids. For information visit santacruzmah.org.
MAH’s new biennial festival is a 4-night event activating the museum, neighboring gardens and plazas with installations of site-responsive work, live performances, interactive technologies and immersive experiences from local and international artists. Runs Sept. 16-19. Fee only required for entrance to museum building.
Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway St., Santa Cruz
For over nine decades, the Santa Cruz Art League’s Statewide Landscape Exhibition has showcased the work of artists across the Golden State who depict California’s foothills, mountains, seashores, and deserts of the interior and coastal regions. Runs Nov. 19–Jan. 9, 2022. Artist’s reception Dec. 5. For more information visit scal.org.
Pajaro Valley Arts
37 Sudden St., Watsonville
The annual sculpture exhibit is held at Sierra Azul Nursery, 2660 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. The jurors, Susana Arias and Jeff Rosendale, selected over 100 sculptures created by 42 artists and collaborators.Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, and spend an afternoon enjoying the exhibit. Runs through Oct. 31. For information visit pvarts.org.
Pajaro Valley Arts presents the exhibit Reflections by the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild (MBMAG), a spectacular display of artisan jewelry and small metal sculpture. It will feature many pieces that are narrative in nature. MBMAG is a nonprofit that is devoted to educating the public about the metal arts, as well as promoting local artists in their pursuit to create new works. Runs Aug. 25–Oct. 3. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held Aug. 29, 2-4pm.
Curated by the Sea
703 Front St., Santa Cruz
“Exhibitionist”
This exhibition is a dialogue between 20 artists who create visual and wearable art. The show opens on Sept. 3 and runs through Oct. 30. An artist's reception will be held 6-8pm with live music by jazz musicians Los Improvidors.’ Open 12-4pm Thursday–Saturday, and Sunday–Wednesday by appointment. For information visit curatedbythesea.com.
Tannery Arts Center
1010 River St, Santa Cruz
Paintings and prints by Printmakers at the Tannery (PATT)
members artists, including Julie Erreca, Jane Gregorius, Andrée LeBourveau, Cindy Haug, Lu Lee, Catharina Marlowe, Margaret Niven, AV Pike, Bob Rocco, Lynne Simpson and Frank Trueba. Runs through Sept. 27. Masks required. For information visit firstfridaysantacruz.com.
MESS FOR SUCCESS Louden Lesley’s photograph ‘Good Messes,’ on exhibit at Cabrillo Gallery.
Open Studios Art Tour
Various locations, Santa Cruz County For 35 years, Open Studios’ goal has been to connect artists with people who love art. For the first three weekends in October, artists from the redwoods to the bay open their studios so that friends, neighbors, and strangers from near and far can discover art. Three events will take place: South County (Aptos, Capitola, Freedom, La Selva Beach, Live Oak, Rio del Mar, Watsonville) on Oct. 2-3; North County (Ben Lomand, Bonny Doyon, Boulder Creeks, Brookdale, Davenport, Felton, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley) on Oct. 9-10; and all counties Oct. 16-17. For information visit santacruzopenstudies.com.
First Friday Santa Cruz
Online at firstfridaysantacruz.com Looking to stay in touch with the local arts community? The First Friday Artist Registry connects local artists with venues and art enthusiasts. It serves as the largest directory of artists in Santa Cruz County. Visit the group’s website or follow on social media (Facebook, Instagram). Artists can go to bit.ly/3krzSNY for information on how to participate. SEPTEMBER 2021 | APTOS LIFE
