Calling the community of Watsonville and beyond! Con mucho amor, anunciamos que el 1 de marzo abriremos las puertas de nuestra primera exposición de Galleria Placita. We will debut artist Jaime Sánchez in his first solo show, Eclose.

The idea for Galleria Placita came from wanting to make the most of the second studio inside the Watsonville Center for the Arts. Queremos promover and really highlight the inspiring and thought-provoking work of artists of color, local artists, and emerging talent.

We hope this will be the first of many exhibitions for the community to engage with—bringing us all joy, connection, and inspiration, especialmente en estos tiempos difíciles cuando más nos necesitamos. ¡Los esperamos!

We can’t wait to see you all!

In Community - Yesenia Molina, Watsonville Program Manager

Tell me about yourself. Who is Jaime Sánchez?

My name is Jaime Sánchez. I was born in the Pajaro Valley at the original Watsonville Hospital. My parents migrated here from Jalisco, Mexico, and built a life in this community. I have two brothers and two sisters.

I am a veteran—I served in the Marine Corps for four years. I earned my undergraduate degree in Visual and Public Art. Over the years, I’ve worked in construction and remodeling, as a substitute teacher in the arts, and I'm currently a bus driver for Metro.

I enjoy exercise—walking, jogging, and going to the gym. I love animals, especially cats, and I’m a big coffee fan.

What do you think about the gallery opening up here?

I like it. It’s going to be one of the few galleries we have in Watsonville, and it has a lot of potential. The space itself has an old-school charm, with high ceilings, rounded corners, and diamond-patterned stained window. These features can really complement installations, art exhibits, poetry readings, and performance art.

I see it as a blank canvas. Personally, I’d love for it to be a tool for discovering and uplifting unknown or untapped talent—giving artists a space to gain visibility, connect with the art community, and build relationships with others who are actively engaged in the scene.

Can you share the inspiration behind this exhibition?

The inspiration is to always keep that excitement for art alive. One thing I’ve noticed is that the longer you do something, the more it can start to feel like work—like physical exertion that becomes repetitive and tedious.

My inspiration for Eclose was to step outside of what I normally do. I’m known for highly detailed drawings, but for this show, I’m working on a sculpture. It’s exciting to experiment with a medium that allows me to move around, stretch, and build. It keeps me engaged in a different way.

This sculpture is on a much larger scale—spanning about 24 feet long—and will be interactive. It also carries a deeper meaning, which will be revealed when it is displayed.

There’s a strong theme around the color blue in this exhibition. For me, blue is a clean and calming color. My favorite color used to be red, but as I’ve grown, I’ve found myself drawn to blue because it brings a sense of peace. While blue is often associated with cool tones and water, I’ve come to see it as a warm and inviting color as well.

What themes or messages do you hope visitors take away from this show?

The title of the show, Eclose, refers to the moment a butterfly emerges from its cocoon. There’s an energy in that transformation—whether it’s a chick breaking through its eggshell, a butterfly pushing out of its cocoon, or even a baby realizing it’s time to enter the world.

I want people to look at their future, leave the past behind, and embrace new possibilities. Take all the years behind you and flush them down the toilet—start fresh and look ahead.

I use the word Homo sapiens instead of human because I believe we’re still evolving into what it truly means to be human. As a species, we haven’t fully arrived at that point yet. Eclose is about stepping out of the cocoon and seeing what’s possible—taking that leap forward.

How did you choose the pieces featured in the exhibition?

The exhibition will include a large sculpture, a backdrop canvas for photos, and around six framed paintings and drawings.

I primarily work with primary colors—red, blue, and yellow. For this show, I selected pieces from my personal collection, including ones that have been hanging in my home for years. Interestingly, they all happen to be mostly blue.

There’s a good variety in the work as well. Some of my pieces are freeform and expressionistic—scribbles that might look chaotic or messy—while others are very structured and geometric.

When people see the freeform pieces, they might think, "I can do that! My baby can do that!"—and that’s exactly the reaction I want. I want people to recognize the creative tools they already have. Then, when they see the more structured, planned-out geometric work, they’ll realize, "Okay, this takes more skill and planning, but I can see how one style can evolve into another."

Is there a particular work in this show that holds special meaning for you?

The sculpture means a lot to me because I’ve been working with sculpture for years—since around 2008—but most people don’t really know me for that. Many of my sculptures get dismantled after I create them because I enjoy the cathartic process of taking them apart.

This particular sculpture is interactive. It’s designed for two people at a time, allowing them to share a unique moment and create a lasting bond. The piece is meant to bring balance and equilibrium—almost like a reset button. It should feel fun, like a rollercoaster ride, offering both excitement and reflection.

Can you describe your creative process when working on these pieces?

My process starts with knowing the medium I’ll be working with. If it’s a sculpture, I begin by gathering materials and envisioning the general shape—like a cocoon, since that ties into the theme of Eclose.

From there, I go freeform. I build as I go, using experience and intuition rather than a rigid plan. Once I start feeling like the piece is complete, I take a step back to review and make small adjustments.

I know a piece is done when I feel a deep sense of satisfaction—when I can say, "Okay, that’s it." There’s a contrast between thinking you’re done and knowing you’re done, and over time, I’ve learned to recognize that difference.

How do you hope this exhibition will influence or inspire other artists?

I hope other artists will see the show and start thinking about what’s possible—both in their own work and in this space. I want them to see what I’ve done and dream even bigger.

I hope this exhibition opens up new possibilities for them and shows them that they, too, can create something powerful and meaningful.

Where can people find more of your work or stay updated on your projects?

You can find my work on Instagram. I post a couple of times a month, especially when I have announcements. Follow me @jaimesánchezpainting

Any additional thoughts you’d like to share?

I just want people to come. Bring a friend, a family member, or even come alone—but it’s even better when you share the experience with someone you know.

Jaime Sánchez: Eclose

📍 Location: Galleria Placita, Watsonville Center for the Arts
🕒 Gallery Hours: Monday & Tuesday | 3 - 7pm

🎤 Artist Talk: March 28, 2025 | 6:30 - 8pm
🔹 Moderator: Valéria Miranda, Director, Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery
🔹 Format: Hybrid (Instagram Live & In-Person)

🎨 Closing Reception: May 3, 2025 | 3 - 6pm

Stay connected and follow us on Instagram for updates!
📲 @artscouncilsc | @watsonvillecenterarts