A few years ago my daughter gave me the most wonderful present, an easel! Even more dear to me than the easel, was how well she knew me, for she had tapped into a dormant desire to paint. I had a long artistic dry spell when other creative interests took center stage, although every city I've ever visited has drawn me to its galleries and museums first. When I began painting again, I discovered I possessed little fear about "making mistakes" and indeed was in a space akin to the uninhibited approach that so marks children's art.

Santa Cruz County is blessed with an abundance of artists, art classes, galleries, and museums. Many restaurants, banks, retail shops and government facilities provide wall space for art shows year round. This coming weekend marks the 24th annual Open Studios tours affording us the opportunity to see artists in their studios. $20 for the calendar gives you a ticket to all studios open. Take the children and enjoy their uninhibited reactions! Chances are you will discover many artistic neighbors and come home inspired!

The art classes available for children in our county are extraordinary. I marvel at what our children create under the guidance of skilled and talented art teachers.  Let's nourish and support the arts!

Parmalee

Many of our schools offer excellent art programs.  If you are looking for that extra special, unique, quality art program with lots of individual attention try some of the private art studios for children.  Below are a few examples of children's art.

"....Many areas have Open Studios, but I doubt that so many have such a huge amount of high quality in one concentrated location. I once went to hear the late Spalding Gray speak at UCSC. He said that he had this sense that people come to Santa Cruz for healing. I think this is true, but I also think that people generally come here for the examined life.

For an area that, in total, has one-sixth the population of San Francisco (a very small city), we're amazing. We have symphony, opera, too many theater troupes to mention, jazz, poetry, and art. And we have all this for kids, as well. Because when you're not doing it, what do you do? You teach it.

Many of our Open Studios artists are regulars on the kids' teaching circuit, but even if they aren't, they are teachers just by what they do. A small percentage of our local artists make their money from art; the others make it some other way and practice art for the love of it. This is a lesson that is so important in our very money-focused time.

Artists also teach us persistence. The ones in Open Studios are generally not new at their craft. Often they started somewhere else, and came to their art through experimentation and curiosity.

One of the great innovations of this year's Open Studios...." >>>>>

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Check " Add to My Planner" to save events and resources you are interested in; at the bottom of the calendar click on VIEW MY PLANNER to print or email your list (to yourself and a friend).

Class Calendar | School Schedules | Resources

This is the year to make it happen for you, your family and your friends. For a mere $20 dollars, you can visit as many artist studios as you desire AND enter to win $200 of Open Studios Art! 

The 2009 Artist Guide/Calendar, your entry "ticket" into the Tour, has clearly-designated artists who will be offering live demonstrations of their creative process.

The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County's Open Studios Art Tour takes place the first three weekends in October. From the redwoods to the sea, thousands of art enthusiasts visit with artists in their studios to see the creative process at work.

The Open Studios Art Tour is a self-guided tour with 300 studios open throughout Santa Cruz County. Art Tour information is available through the 15-month Artist Guide/Calendar, a Preview Exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League, and on our website The museum-quality, 15-month Artist Guide/Calendar, available for $20 at more than 50 locations in Santa Cruz County, includes a map of Open Studios Locations and contact information for each artist. Calendar sales benefit local arts and arts learning programs.

Studios Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct 3 & 4 South County (south of the Santa Cruz Harbor)
Oct 10 & 11 North County (north of the Santa Cruz Harbor)
Oct 17 & 18 Encore Weekend (optional)

above left: Claudia Stevens, Traditional Botanical Art  ~ right: Linda Cover, Watershed Science, Art & Poetry