This is a golden time of the year for the arts, with the days growing shorter and people drifting back indoors, resigned to early nightfall but not quite ready to stop playing. One by one, arts venues around town turn their lights up a little brighter, inviting people in to linger a while. This fall in Santa Cruz brings the usual markers of the season—the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County’s Open Studios tour, for example—as well as relative newcomers to the calendar, like the Museum of Art and History’s new slate of interactive programs . And of course there’s the monthly explosion of arts appreciation, flaneur-style, known as First Friday. Read on and keep your calendar handy!
AUG. 31
Endangered Neighbors
Photographer Sebastian Kennerknecht captures the beauty of 15 of the 30 endangered species in the Monterey Bay area. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Through Sept. 10.
Foodies in Exile
Whimsical and vibrant paintings, collages, etchings and linocuts by Bryce Vinokurov, inspired by fine dining culture around Northern California. Museum of Art and History. Through Nov. 13.
From the Mountains
Local artists exhibit work in various media like screen printing, jewelry and ceramics. Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center. Through Oct. 22.
Furniture Design
Locally designed furniture for practical use and aesthetic purposes. Museum of Art and History. Through Nov. 13.
Grounded Figures
Summer session UCSC students curate a show of figurative drawings and paintings by Charles Griffin Farr. Public reception in September TBA. Sesnon Gallery, UCSC. Through Oct. 1.
Lisa Hochstein: Paper Collage
The local collage artist displays her mixed media pieces in the newly designed 3rd Floor Lounge. Museum of Art and History. Through Nov. 13.
Santa Cruz Woodworkers
Local woodworking professionals, including luthier Ron Cook, sculptor Gary Stevens and cabinetmaker Jeff Shallenberger, show one-of-a-kind furniture and art pieces. Museum of Art and History. Through Nov. 13.
Sculpture IS: 2011
The annual Pajaro Valley Arts Center exhibit shows 56 California artists displaying 135 sculptures in a beautiful two-acre garden setting. Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens. Through Oct. 31.
Sea States: Linda Simmel
Artist Linda Simmel’s large charcoal, graphite and pastel drawings of sea swells inspired by her visit to Cape Cod. Cabrillo Gallery. Through Sept. 23.
SEPT. 1
Earth and Space
Aptos ceramicist Jenni Ward’s latest work explores how organic forms interact with the space they encompass. Felix Kulpa Gallery. Through Sept. 30.
Mary Warshaw Retrospective
Celebrate the memory of the late local artist and former Pajaro Valley Arts Council gallery curator. Pajaro Valley Arts Center Gallery. Through Oct. 9.
SEPT. 2
First Friday
The monthly Santa Cruz art crawl features exhibits downtown, on the Westside, on the Eastside and in Harvey West, most often with music, refreshments and chatty fellow gawkers. For exhibition updates, check firstfridaysantacruz.com.
SEPT. 3
Makers at the MAH: Andrew Purchin
Movement artist and founder of the Artists Everywhere Project invites museum guests to become his subjects and muses as he paints the activities of the day. Museum of Art and History. 11am-5pm.
SEPT. 10
Family Art Saturday: Woodworking
Families are invited to create miniature furniture from different types of wood. Museum of Art and History. Noon-4pm.
From Earth to Art
A downtown walking tour of local trees explores the natural processes behind the key ingredient in one of MAH’s exhibits: wood. Museum of Art and History. 4pm.
SEPT. 16
Ceram-A-Rama
Spend three days reveling in all that is clay with hands-on sculpting lessons, claymation cinema and a BBQ potluck. Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center. $20-$25 (includes lunch). Through Sept. 18.
Third Friday at MAH
The Museum of Art and History’s series of interactive arty and history-ish activities kicks off with the Race Through Time scavenger hunt through town, which culminates in drinks and prizes back at the museum. Register at racethroughtime.eventbrite.com. Museum of Art and History. 5-9pm.
SEPT. 17-18
Arts of the Left Coast
In the DIY spirit of the times, 11 artists from the Westside are showing paintings, assemblage, jewelry and sculpture in an unjuried two-day show. 716 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 11am-5pm.
OCT. 1
We Are All Animals
Up-and-coming artists create small drawings or paintings exploring the relationship between humans and animals. The exhibit will be turned into a limited edition book. Felix Kulpa Gallery. Through Oct. 31.
OCT. 1-2
Open Studios Art Tour (north of Santa Cruz Harbor)
Take a self-guided tour, from the redwoods to the sea, of local artists’ studios. North of Santa Cruz Harbor. For maps visit ccscc.org.
OCT. 3
Tasty: Artists Playing With Food
Curated by local culinary stars and authors Gayle and Joe Ortiz, “Tasty” features artists throughout the state depicting second- and third-dimensional delicious staples of life. Cabrillo Gallery. Through Nov. 4.
OCT. 7
First Friday
The monthly Santa Cruz art crawl features exhibits downtown, on the Westside, on the Eastside and in Harvey West, most often with music, refreshments and chatty fellow gawkers. For exhibition updates check firstfridaysantacruz.com.
OCT. 8-9
Open Studios Art Tour (south of Santa Cruz Harbor)
Take a self-guided tour, from the redwoods to the sea, of local artists’ studios. South of Santa Cruz Harbor. For maps visit ccscc.org.
OCT. 12
Xiaoze Xie: History Compressed
Contemplative paintings of stacked newspaper headlines and books chronicling social movements and change in China by painter Xiaoze Xie. Sesnon Gallery. Through Nov. 23.
OCT. 15-16
Open Studios Art Tour Encore
Take a self-guided tour, from the redwoods to the sea, of the studios of participating local artists. North & South County. For maps visit ccscc.org.
OCT. 15
Exploring Coastal Lagoons of Central California: A Journey Through Art, History, and Science
Learn the ecological importance of tidal estuaries (a.k.a. lagoons) for animal and plant species in Central California. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Through Feb. 24.
OCT. 16
Empty Bowls
Bowls donated from last year’s Ceram-A-Rama will be on sale. All proceeds will go to the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Pajaro Dunes. 5pm.
OCT. 21
Third Friday at MAH
Interactive demonstrations by students and graduates of UCSC’s Digital Arts & New Media program. Museum of Art and History. 5-9pm.
OCT. 26
The Gift of Art
Handmade gifts by talented local artists, because it’s never too early to start holiday shopping. Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center. Through Dec. 24.
NOV. 4
First Friday
The monthly Santa Cruz art crawl features exhibits downtown, on the Westside, on the Eastside and in Harvey West, most often with music, refreshments and chatty fellow gawkers. For exhibition updates, check firstfridaysantacruz.com.
NOV. 12
Family Art Saturday: Play With Your Food
Learn printmaking and linoleum cuts with Denise Shaw. Museum of Art and History. 10am-noon; 1-3pm. $10.
NOV. 14
Without Art
What would life be without art? The Cabrillo Gallery posed this very question to artists of several mediums; their answer is this poignant and insightful exhibit. Watch these pages for numerous exhibit-related events. Cabrillo Gallery. Through Dec. 16.
NOV. 18
Third Friday at MAH
It’s Craft Night at the museum, and they’re staying open after hours and making messes. Museum of Art and History. 5-9pm.
DEC. 2
First Friday
The monthly Santa Cruz art crawl features exhibits downtown, on the Westside, on the Eastside and in Harvey West, most often with music, refreshments and chatty fellow gawkers. For exhibition updates check firstfridaysantacruz.com.
DEC. 16
Third Friday at MAH
A behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to work at the Museum. Museum of Art and History. 5-pm.
DEC. 17
The Butterfly Effect
Shelby Graham, curator of the Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery at UCSC, displays her unique butterfly photography and includes magnifying glasses for patrons to truly appreciate the color and anatomy of these one-of-a-kind insects. Museum of Art & History. Through March 18.
Espresso Police
Cafe Pergolesi founders Julie and Frank Foreman display artifacts from the original Cafe Pergolesi and deliver spontaneous “drive-by” coffee to random patrons. Museum of Art & History 3rd Floor Lobby. Through March 18.
Futzie Nutzle
The local artist, whose work has appeared in such internationally respected publications as Rolling Stone and Santa Cruz Weekly, exhibits his visual puns in painting and sketch form. Museum of Art & History Art Forum Gallery. Through March 18.
Rydell Exhibition
Local artists who have received fellowships from the Rydell Fund exhibit their work in various media. Tim Craighead, Andrea Borsuk, Victoria May and Andy Ruble. Museum of Art & History’s Solari Gallery. Through March 18.
