See Artists, Art at Open Studios in Santa Cruz

Local Artists Show Where and How They Make Art

Sep 22, 2009

During three weekends in October, artists like Vivienne Andres open their studios to the public, demonstrating how they create art and offering art works for sale

The County of Santa Cruz, CA is the second smallest in the state, but may have the most artists per capita of any county. They are drawn by the beauty of the area, the local support for artists and art, and the creative lifestyle. Every Fall, the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County selects the work of 200 artists, from ceramicists to sculptors to watercolorists to jewelry makers, to feature during Open Studios held three weekends in October.

When and How to See Artists in Open Studios This October

Artists are selected on the basis of the professionalism of their work, its theme, and whether the artist can demonstrate the creative process. Studio locations range from hidden mountain cabins to glass-walled studios by the sea. The public is welcome to come to each artist's studio to see and perhaps to buy original work during Saturday and Sunday of each Open Studio weekend. This year, the Northern section of the county will be featured October 3-4, and South county artists will be open October 10-11. to create a rt." A third weekend, the Encore Weekend, will be held October 17-18 for those artists who choose to participate.

Access to all studios is possible with purchase of a colorful 15-month calendar and directory listing all participating artists next to a photograph of one of their art works. The directory can be bought at many stores, shops and museums in Santa Cruz, or on the web at the Cultural Council's web site. . The cost is $20.00.

One of the artists who will participate in the Open Studios North County and Encore weekends this year is Vivienne Andres, whose work is described as "watercolor collage." "My theme this year is floral images," says Andres, who lives and works in her home and studio on the West side of Santa Cruz. Her method involves using vertical strips of painted paper, arranging them, then gluing them into pleasing floral themes. "I like the fact you can still see the vertical edges of the strips, which I think gives the pieces more interest and dimension."

Andres is a highly trained artist, wtih a B.A. in Fine Arts and an M.A. in painting from San Jose State University. She also did a year of post-graduate study at the University of London studying 19th Century walercolorists, including J.M.W. Turner. She taught art in junior high school and high school departments in the San Jose School District for many years, complemented by many travels in Europe during the summer."As an artist, I love living in Santa Cruz; the light, the ocean, the clear and clean air make it a special place," says Andres.

For more information on where to stay and what else to do in Santa Cruz County, go to the Visitor's Council web site.

The copyright of the article See Artists, Art at Open Studios in Santa Cruz in Painting/Drawing is owned by Judith Wylie. Permission to republish See Artists, Art at Open Studios in Santa Cruz in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.