This year marks the 39th Annual Open Studios Art Tour for Santa Cruz County, and it’s a special one. Long-time Open Studios and Events Director Ann Ostermann is retiring at the end of this season, marking the production of her 20th event. Ann’s knack for working with artists, paired with her valuable organizational skills, has created a beloved community event spanning across the county from Watsonville to Davenport.
“It’s been my honor to produce this tour for the last 20 years. Open Studios gives visitors a unique inside look at the artistic process – there’s just nothing better than meeting an artist in person and seeing where they make their art!” says Ann.
People are interested not only in where they make their art but also in how they make it, as many Open Studios artists give demonstrations during the event. The crowd's fascination at glass artist Peter Vizzusi’s South County studio affirms spectators' curiosity and wonder around how art is made.
Peter, a veteran artist in Open Studios owns Magic Sands Glass in Aptos, a hot glass studio producing a colorful variety of both functional and decorative glass pieces. His demos are the highlight of his Open Studio as he works with his apprentice creating pieces in front of an excited audience. His charisma paired with artistry has created a memorable experience for art-lovers out on the tour.
Also in South County, Ercilia Medeiros will open her studio for the first time, showcasing a stunning variety of acrylic and watercolor paintings depicting the flora and fauna of the Northern California Coast. Her rich heritage from the Portuguese Azores islands brings vibrant color and ancestral sentiment into her work. Her Soquel studio is an impressive display of color and expressive imagery.
A journey to the other side of the county takes you into the Santa Cruz Mountains to Laurie and Dan Hennig’s pottery studio and sculpture garden, where you’ll find curious rabbits and other animals carved into vessels. Their Boulder Creek property is the birthplace of generations of potters and an artistic wonderland in the redwoods. It offers a beautiful oasis to explore and be amazed by on the North County tour.
North County is also home to Rigel Hunter’s Westside warehouse studio, housing an impressive variety of machinery designed to craft steel, bronze, and other metals. He works on extreme scales, from large architectural pieces for multi-million dollar homes to intricate fine jewelry. Rigel brings 25 years of experience into his craft with a modern Art Deco style.
These four studios are just a few examples of the over 300 artists representing 18 mediums in the Open Studios Art Tour this year. The diversity and experience of Santa Cruz artists have contributed to the county's reputation of being a thriving arts destination, driving cultural tourism and supporting the economy. A recent Arts & Economic Prosperity study commissioned by Arts Council Santa Cruz County and conducted by Americans for the Arts showed that the arts industry contributed over $68 million to the local economy in 2022, a true testament to the importance and love of the arts in our culture.
Open Studios Art Tour kicks off on October 5-6 in North County (areas north of the Yacht Harbor - the City of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley, and the North coast). South County follows on October 12-13 (areas South of the Yacht Harbor - Live Oak to Watsonville) and All County on October 19-20. Hours are 11am-5pm.
Look for the printed guide wherever you find the Good Times and download the app in mid-September.
Visit santacruzopenstudios.com for more information and an online listing of participating artists.
Special Thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor: Sutter Health
Major Sponsors: Good Times & Santa Cruz County Bank
Media Sponsor: Lookout Santa Cruz