The story of a lifetime is the blink of an eye.

EXHIBIT EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY DECEMBER 5

CLOSING RECEPTION FIRST FRIDAY DECEMBER 5, 4-7 PM

Exhibit runs November 17-December 5

Reception: November 23, 1-4 pm

Gallery Hours:  Monday - Friday, 1-5 pm (closed Thanksgiving Day November 27)

By appointment:  Lauralee Alben, 831-426-6264

Group tours are also available.  

Experiencing Ben's artistic legacy is transformative, healing and provocative.  It's a sacred journey across time, one in which Ben's life serves as a fractal of our world today in the midst of a great transition.  In this memorial exhibit, if you open our heart, you'll feel the embrace of Ben's love-the blessing in his brushstrokes; the thrum of life in his music; the passion in his poetry; the resonance in his wisdom.

"It's all about love.  Everything around us wanted to be born so it could be loved in some form."-Ben Faris

Throughout Ben's all too short, intense life, he chronicled his agonizing struggles and enlightening experiences.  These converged into a wondrous flow and flowering of his own becoming. On view are three periods of Ben's adulthood and the art reflecting his spiritual awakening, simultaneous suffering and healing and his becoming.  A prolific artist, Ben transcribed his soul's evolution with the intent to share each step on his healing path with us.

Ben painted his visionary Spirit World series as a teenager.  It continues to resonate deeply today.  His Spirit Beings have a language, ethics, a purpose, and a culture in which the call of ancient peoples is merged with the gritty pulse of contemporary culture.  Created within the context of our world as a whole, Ben breathed reverence for life into his art to inspire us to fall in love with the earth again.

Land Spirits, 2007

Koi Wears Spirit Mask, 2015

The Weaving Together, 2015

Beam Me Home, 2016

3 Curves, Black Walnut, Fred Hunnicutt

Opening Reception First Friday October 3, 4-7 pm

This is a retrospective show of two renowned longtime resident artists of Santa Cruz.  The work covers a timeframe of at least 50 years showing the progression of each artist on their respective journeys.  Many of you have visited their studios during Open Studios in which Christianna participated for 21 years.  Fred taught art at UCSC for 25 years.

Sculpture, Furniture and Mixed Meda

Exhibit runs October 3 - October 31

Gallery Hours: Thursday - Saturday 1-4 pm and by appointment

Open during October North County Open Studio hours October 11-12 and 18-19

New photography exhibition showcases the talent and creativity of eight exceptional local photographers, offering over 100 diverse and captivating photographs that reflect the beauty and essence of our community and beyond.  Participating photographers are Annelies de Kater, Kathy Edwards, Larry Herzberg, Robert Mahrer, Keith Munger, Kevin Osborn, Mark Overgaard and Michael Singer.  

Exhibit runs August 21- September 27.

Opening Reception August 22, 4-7 pm

First Friday September 5, 4-7 pm

Closing Reception September 27, 1-4 pm

Gallery Hours Thursday - Saturday 1-4 pm

831-458-1217

A rare chance to collect original works by the legendary Santa Cruz identified artist Futzie Nutzle (Bruce Kleinsmith).  Known for his subversive with and sharp commentary, Nutzle has been a key figure in the local art scene for decades.  His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, MOMA New York, and the Japan Times and he has been a longtime creative force in Santa Cruz and beyond.

Also showing resident artist Isobel George, new imports from Bali and other new works.

First Friday, August 1, 4-7 pm

Gallery hours: Thursday -Satuday, 1-4 pm.

Contact: 831-458-1217

Physical Illusions Disappear - Mindful Concepts Remain Intact

Opening Reception Friday May 2, 4-7 pm

Artists:  Judy Gittelsohn, Bob Slote, Bruce Pollack, Maggie Viale, Emmanuelle Namont, Kirk Leclaire, Lawrence White, Robert Hyatt, Timothy Kopra, Gordon Sizelove, Lee Hoag, Nina Wedberg Thulin, Lauren Mendez.  Curated by Robert Hyatt

Special thanks to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History for lending the Sam Tchakalian painting.

The San Francisco Art Institute, now closed, was one of the oldest art schools in the United States and the oldest west of the Mississippi River.  It was founded by an influential group of artists, writers and community leaders.  The many distinguished alumni include influential artists with distinctively California modern art roots.

Exhibit runs May 2 - May 31

Gallery Hours:  Thursday - Saturday 1-4 pm and by appointment