Santa Cruz County Open Studios 2000

About Open Studios

If you've been interested in taking a closer look at how artists work and why they do what they do, then why not plan a trip to Santa Cruz, CA during the first three weekends of October. This is a perfect time to visit this coastal town: the tourist mania has subsided and the weather is superb. You'll have an opportunity to browse through different studios, chat with the artists, and view their work.

How Open Studios Works

1. BUY a catalog-available from a variety of locations and by mail. See Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County web site for details.

2. PREVIEW the artists in the catalog.

3. CHOOSE your favorite artists to visit

4. PLAN your tour using the map that is included with the catalog

5. GO!

What to Look For

This year there are 282 artists participating in Open Studios throughout Santa Cruz County. Naturally, you won't be able to visit every studio, so preview the catalog and look for what you like. In the past, we found that we visited no more than 12 studios in a single day. All the studios are interesting and quite different from one another. The artists really strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for their visitors.

Jean Pichey-Fontaine
Botts Point

Most artists encourage their visitors to ask questions and take a leisurely look at their work. You'll find that each studio reflects the character of the artist. Food, music, and décor also add to the experience of Open Studios.

Joan Hellenthal
Venetian Pears

Purchasing Art

All the artists who participate in Open Studios provide visitors with the option to purchase their art. None, however pressure visitors to buy their work. If you see something you like, but are not ready to buy, pick up a business card, sign the artist's mailing list for upcoming exhibits, or refer to the back of the catalog where all participating artists names and addresses are listed.

Moto Ohtake
Interdimension #17

Our Recommendations

Because it's impossible to visit each and every artist who participates in the Open Studio event (this year there are over two hundred participating artists). Below is a list of some of our favorite artists that you may want to consider as a starting point for your own tour.

Jeffrey M. Andrews
Veined Bay Leaf Bowl with Silver Inlay

Helen Slater - Earthenware clay making
Suchitra Fields - Landscape, oil on canvas
Barbara Anderson Bargetto - Photography
Jeffrey M. Andrews - Cast and slumped glass with etchings
Moto Ohtake - Mixed media collage and sculpture
Michael Eckerman - River rock/Cast concrete sculpture
Gene Holtan - Acrylic paining
Ronna Schulkin Pearce - Acrylic with mixed media
Joan Hellenthal - Oil/pastel/mixed media
Judy Stabile - Figurative stone sculpture
Jean Pichey-Fontaine - Mixed media

Gene Holtan
Conjugal Love

Lodging Recommendations

Bayview Hotel, Aptos
Inn at Depot Hill, Capitola
Chaminade, Santa Cruz
Darling House, Santa Cruz
The Babbling Brook Inn, Santa Cruz

Restaurant Recommendations

Bittersweet Bistro, Aptos - Excellent bistro; expensive. Our advice: save room for desert; a chocoholics paradise!

Theo's, Soquel - Delightful indoor and outdoor French country dining.

Riva Fish House, Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf - A locals favorite; fun, noisy, and inexpensive! Scrumptious gelato.

Carniglia's, Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf - More upscale, Italian dining with a great view.

Cloud's Downtown, Santa Cruz - Good bistro fare; renowned for their martinis

Hollins House Restaurant, Santa Cruz - Perched above the Pasatiempo Golf Course, the panoramic view of the Monterey Bay is spectacular. This is a somewhat expensive and dressy restaurant by Santa Cruz standards, but well worth the trip.

Open Studio Dates

October 7-8, 2000 - North Santa Cruz County

October 14-15 - South Santa Cruz County

October 21-22 - Encore Weekend

For More Information Visit the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County's web site