Through economic lows and high-tech booms, those who create and promote visual art have continued in their artistic endeavors and say they are better for it.
They also see the South Bay’s art scene currently experiencing slow but continual growth to meet unsatisfied demands.
Jeanie Watson, owner of Morgan Hill Art Gallery, which opened earlier this year, believes this is the perfect time for local artists to excel.
“The timing is perfect right now,” she said. “It seems like everything is coming together.” Watson organizes art walks as the director of Valle del Sur Art Guild’s Art Around Town program. For the art walks, she and venue coordinators, such as local artist Wendy Sprague, pair the work of Valle del Sur artists with over a dozen local businesses in downtown Morgan Hill.
Sprague grew up in the South Bay and has lived in Morgan Hill for three years. She is happy to note what she calls a recent explosion of artwork around the Morgan Hill-Gilroy area. Sprague also showcases her work through Art Around Town and participated in the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society.
In 1974, local artists started the nonprofit Valle del Sur Art Guild to support visual arts in southern Santa Clara County. Lorna Saiki, president of the guild, feels the region’s art scene has benefited from Art Around Town, improved economic conditions and downtowns.
On the other hand, she hopes the city of Morgan Hill will promote more opportunities for visual artists.
“The Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival and the Taste of Morgan Hill cater mainly to arts and crafts and food,” she said.
Non-members can enjoy art demos during guild meetings held the third Thursday of every month at Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, where the guild regularly hosts exhibits.
In Gilroy, the recently rebranded Gilroy Arts Alliance promoted multicultural arts in the community even before it opened as the Center for the Arts in 2010, according to Operations Manager Kevin Heath.
“We have changed the face of Gilroy by being the driving force behind growing the arts in our city,”
he said.
Heath pointed out many events and opportunities at the center, including free art classes for Gilroy residents in July and exhibits celebrating Black History Month in February and Dia de los Muertos in November. Other exhibits showcase local Valle del Sur or Northern California Art Fusion artists. The center also collaborates with the Gilroy Downtown Business Association for the Gilroy Art and Wine Stroll each May.
Gilroy based artist and Valle del Sur member Marianne Eichenbaum founded the Northern California Art Fusion, a nonprofit organization promoting educational and professional development for South Bay artists. Growing up in Ansbach, Germany, Eichenbaum found inspiration watching her father create “masterfully artistic cakes and pastries” to sell.
Through her local work, she has seen a slight change in the art atmosphere in Gilroy. But she feels there’s much more that needs to be done.
“Morgan Hill already has a somewhat established art scene and can only grow more,” she said.
Members of Northern California Art Fusion participate in various “art and wine events” at local wineries, including Satori Cellars Winery and Sunlit Oaks Winery in Gilroy.
Their artwork is also on display and for sale in the Sunlit Oaks tasting room. Around holidays, NCAF artists display and sell work while visitors sample wine. John Grogan, owner and winemaker at Sunlit Oaks, thinks these events benefit customers, artists and his winery.
“We want to give the artists a venue to display and sell their work while they provide a special experience for
our customers,” Grogan said.
Another local business owner, dentist Jernell Escobar, bundles patient well-being and support for the arts into a similar model other businesses can follow. Escobar grew up in southern California and served in the Air Force for seven years before completing her education. Now her Gilroy-based dentistry practice hosts a rotating exhibit of fine art for employees and patients to enjoy and purchase. She features 10-12 pieces of artwork from a new artist every 60 days.
“I have a really deep appreciation for art; for me, dentistry is art,” Escobar said. “Gilroy has that hometown feel where everyone supports everyone, and I want to support the local artists.”
Here are some local places to experience art in person and online.
Art Walk
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. first Wednesday of every month. For art walk maps, event schedules and more info go to morganhillartgallery.com
Morgan Hill Art Gallery
13 W. Second St., Morgan Hill. Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
morganhillartgallery.com
Gilroy Arts Alliance
7341 Monterey St., Gilroy
Open: 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday.
gilroyartsalliance.com
Valle del Sur
Art Guild
valledelsure.org
SCC Valley Water Color Society
scvws.org
