Liz, age 4, asking Santa for...art supplies?

Around this time, Liz was teaching art at a Jesuit High School in Buffalo, NY. She wanted to spend more time on her own work, and in March 1986 made a move to California. Liz was living in Aptos and one day read a newspaper article announcing the first Open Studios Art Tour, noting that the application deadline was quickly approaching. She was very motivated to apply because she saw it as the beginning of her "full time" art career. Open Studios sounded like the perfect opportunity to become part of the Santa Cruz art community. Liz's application was accepted. Now, she just had to come up with a studio, and her garage fit the bill. It housed her printing press, supplies and displays. Though it was an exciting time, this first Open Studios Art Tour proved to be challenging and difficult as Liz mourned the sudden passing of her mother. Liz managed to open her studio to Santa Cruz County residents and visitors, and says she was "amazed at the large number of people who came to the first Open Studios event. I made sales and met a lot of artists--and the garage looked great!"

Liz remains a great supporter of the Open Studios Art Tour. She says, "The Cultural Council's Open Studios Art Tour provides an excellent opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their work, to talk about their work and to educate visitors about the artistic process. Visitors have the fantastic opportunity to buy art directly from the artist in his or her own environment. The experience is intimate and social. The event supports the arts and the artists and, at the same time, positively affects our local economy--sales tax is collected, and restaurants, hotels, and local stores all benefit."

Liz Lyons Friedman hard at work in her studio.

Liz expresses gratitude at being selected as what the Cultural Council fondly refers to as the "Open Studios Art Tour Poster Child." She says of her years in the Open Studios Art Tour, "It has been a lot of fun! I am grateful to have been able to apply 25 times, to have passed the screening process 25 times, and for the many opportunities that the event has provided me. I have met so many wonderful people and made so many friends through this event...and offer a very heartfelt "thank you" to all those who have continued to collect my artwork over the past 25 years. Thank you, Cultural Council, for having me, and for all that you do to make this wonderful event happen."

You'll be hearing more about Liz as the Cultural Council celebrates its Open Studios Art Tour Silver Anniversary. Stay tuned!

Learn more about Liz Lyons Friedman.

• • • • •

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It's incredible--mid-June already! 2010 seems to be flying by. That means before we know it, October--and the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County's 25th Anniversary Open Studios Art Tour--will be upon us.

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If you’re like me--an art lover (and I’m betting you might be)--you may have periodically toyed with the idea of buying a personalized license plate if for no other reason than it might be nice to separate yourself and your car just a wee bit from the rest of traffic. Or maybe you just want to dress up your vehicle in a decidedly creative way. For whatever reason, though (also like me), you haven’t yet taken the plunge.

Well, now there’s a reason we can finally get motivated to purchase a cool license plate for our transportation. The reason? The California Arts Council has a remarkable campaign to put $40 million into California’s arts funding coffers. $40 million! That’s a lot of fuel for our lagging arts funding economy, fuel that would put Arts Learning and other advocacy and support for the arts back in the driver’s seat in promoting the importance of this vital element of life in our county and state. We simply need to help them (and ourselves) reach their goal of selling 1 million Arts license plates.

It’s so easy to help, too. Simply:

• Visit the California Arts Council’ license plate web page.
• Click on the “Order Now” link to purchase your very own Arts license plate.

You’ll be able to choose from several options of plates, but be sure to click on the “Arts” plate to ensure your purchase goes toward building California arts funding.

Go ahead—take some “creative license,” so to speak. Click here for more information or on the image below to get started.

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If you weren't able to attend this year's Cultural Council fundraiser Primavera!, you missed a really fun time! The theme was "The Artful Sound of Spring with a 1940's Flair!" and the event lived up to its name.

Right from the start, guests knew they were in for a special evening as they entered Chaminade Resort & Spa and were welcomed to Club TropiCultural Cabana and a 1940's reception. Arriving in their 1940's finest (an appearance was even made by Howard Hughes), party-goers began the highly enjoyable task of hors d'oeuvres-tasting, wine-imbibing, and music appreciating as they listened to a 5-piece jazz band (Jazz by Five) that set the tone for the evening. Guests viewed and bid on a plethora of fabulous silent auction items ranging from jewelry to getaways to far-off places, to scads of exceptional wine, all to more toe-tapping music provided by Flor de Caña.

At the appointed hour, the merry supporters of art and culture made their way to the main ballroom--the heart of Club TropiCultural Cabana--where they were seated and treated to the Santa Cruz Performance Debut of Michelle Williams, the Cultural Council's Executive Director and Chanteuse. Michelle regaled the appreciative crowd with popular '40's favorites by the likes of Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin.

Following the performance, a rousing live auction featured raucous bidding wars on gorgeous work by talented local artists and more trips to wonderful locales, including one to Bali.

A delightful Chaminade dinner and dessert was served, accompanied by more wonderful wine from Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard & Beauregard Vineyard. Following dinner, a costume contest completed the evening. Three winners, chosen by the crowd, were awarded prizes for their exceptional 1940's duds. The evening ended amid much revelry and comradeship among supporters of the arts. Our esteemed guests departed Club TropiCultural Cabana knowing they'd made a huge difference in support of keeping local arts alive and thriving.

Once again we owe our community our thanks. Our patrons demonstrated incredible generosity and support for something extremely important and fundamental to our Santa Cruz County way of life. All proceeds from the event go to support the Arts and Arts Learning in the County, and we all benefit.

Next year's Primavera! fundraiser is already in the planning stages and promises to be an event you won't want to miss. Stay tuned to this website for more!

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And FUN, too! I mean, who these days couldn't use the illusion of a tiny behind all because of the addition of some keen shoulder pads? OK, maybe I'm speaking for myself. But we'll have our day in March of this year.

The Cultural Council is about to celebrate those great old days of the 1930's & '40's in a big way with its March 28, 2010 fundraiser benefitting the Arts & Arts Learning in our community. How are we doing that? With this year's Primavera! Here's a miniscule preview of what's in store:

• Club TropiCultural Cabana. A true-to-life (and swanky!) 1940's nightclub will be recreated for Primavera! at Chaminade Resort & Spa! You'll enter a very swingin' scene that will transport you back to the high life of the '30's and '40's.

• Sumptuous Food & Delectable Wines. Guests (this means you!) will enjoy tasty hors d'ovueres, excellent wines, and dinner and dessert to die for.

• Very Cool Entertainment. Guests will have their eardrums tickled by the swingin' sounds of Jazz by Five, and Latin Jazz by Flor de Cana.

• The Total Cat's Meow. The feature entertainment for the evening is none other than the Cultural Council's Executive Director. Didn't know she was a chanteuse, too? Don't know what a chanteuse is? Neither did I, but lucky for us, Michelle is one! She's a formally-trained performer, singer and musician and she's about to blow all our socks off with her performance of songs from the Great American Songbook. That will naturally include songs by Cole Porter and Ira Girshwin--and those are some of our favorites, yes?

• The Art. Lest we forget, there will be a very spiffy silent auction as well as an amazingly boisterous live auction of top notch fine art that will elicit a "Whoopee!" from each and every one of us.

• The Great Wine Heist. Make some whoopee yourself when you walk away with scores of fabulous wine--all for the price of a raffle ticket!

• The Contest. Come in your 1940's finery and you'll not only be very smooth but could win a prize!

And since this is just a mini-preview, it goes without sayging that there's a lot more swell stuff going on at Primavera! this year. So mark your calendar for:

Sunday, March 28th, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Then click Primavera! to get more information and to purchase tickets--they're on sale now!

See you at Club TropiCultural Cabana!

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Happy 2010 to all of the absolutely wonderful supports of arts & culture in our Santa Cruz County community!

Though 2009 was a challenge, 2010 appears to be on the upswing, thanks to the diligence of our fabulously talented local artists and incredibly productive local arts organizations.

A group resolution to consider for this year:

How about each one of us making and taking the time to attend one local art function each of the 12 months of 2010. Purchase art if possible. Give art as gifts throughout the year. Most of all, enjoy and appreciate every performance or art exhibit you attend. The artists creating these special experiences for us are also validating the best humanity has to offer.

All the best to you in 2010!

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Now that Open Studios has ended--to much success and fond memories involving scads of fun--there's a fantastic way to keep the memories alive and to present to your nearest and dearest a spectacular (and hugely inexpensive) gift.

And just what might that gift be?

It's nothing less than the 2010 15-month Open Studios Calendar! Astounding in its quality and beauty and remarkable in its funtionality--and positively mind-boggling in its low, low price--you won't want to pass by this grand opportunity.

The 2010 Open Studios Calendar is chock-full of delicious images depicting the incredible art created by the artists who participated in the 2009 Open Studios Art Tour. It also contains contact information for each artist, so you can purchase fabulous art gifts directly from the sources.

And who, I ask you, doesn't need a calendar for the upcoming new year? It's a wonderful gift!  Maybe best of all is, your purchase of the 2010 Open Studios Calendar goes a long way toward supporting arts and culture in Santa Cruz County.

So to summarize: A marvelous 2010 Calendar + gorgeous images of art from local artists + the potential of giving an amazing and most appreciated gift to yourself and others + supporting arts and culture in Santa Cruz County = The Best Thing Ever!

And you won't believe the price for all this: just $10.00 (plus tax and s/h if ordered online)! Simply unbelievable!

Stop by the Cultural Council offices to secure your 2010 Open Studios Calendar, or click here to order online right now!

If the 2010 Open Studios Calendar is any indication, 2010 should be a very good year. Enjoy!

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The 2009 Open Studios Art Tour is winding down with its last weekend coming up - October 17th& 18th. It's known as "Encore Weekend" because studios from BOTH North and South County will once again open their doors wide to visitors from both in, and out, of our community. In fact, there will be 240 studios open! If you missed anything the first two weekends of this year's Open Studios, now is your last chance this year to pick up what might have been missed.

Even in a sluggish local economy with people understandably watching their budgets, Open Studios is something many have not been able to forego. The sheer number of highly talented local artists presenting quality artwork for viewing and purchase is so tempting, that art lovers have come out in great numbers this year. Artists have wisely offered a variety of exceptional pieces at both ends of the economic scale, and some truly outstanding work can be purchased for minimal investment.

The Cultural Council's Open Studios Art Tour is not only an extremely fun activity for friends and family--and you!--to enoy, it's a boon to the local economy. Three hundred artists attract 7,000 visitors, and bring in more than $1 million in annual art sales for the economy. Fun and profitable for our community!

It's not too early for holiday gift-shopping, and what could be better than finding an original treasure created by our outstanding local talent? All you need is an Open Studios Artist Guide/Calendar--for a mere $20--and you'll be able to plan the best Tour ever.

Go for it while there's still time! And ENJOY!

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October 2009 marks the Cultural Council's 24th year presenting the venerable, county-wide Open Studios Art Tour. 24 years--can you believe it? The phrase "Time flies when you're having fun" certain applies here!

Fun is the name of the game, too. The Open Studios Art Tour draws hundreds of visitors--maybe even thousands!--to Santa Cruz County. These are visitors who know the value of $20 and who also know the fabulous reputation of our local visual art talent. They also spend money in our community!

$20? Yes, a mere pittance in exchange for three extraordinary weekends in October. This year, the Artist Guide/Calendar clearly designates numerous artists who will be providing live demonstrations of their creative process in their studios. And, each Artist Guide/Calendar contains a Drawing Entry card giving you an opportunity to win $200 in Open Studios art! Wow!

How can you be part of the fun? Here are the steps:

1. Find $20.
2. Visit the Cultural Council website or call (831) 475-9600.
3. Use your $20 to purchase a 2009 Artist Guide/Calendar.
4. Use your Artist Guide/Calendar to select the Open Studios you want to visit.
5. Immerse yourself in the ultimate Santa Cruz County Art Adventure!

This year's Open Studios dates:

• October 3rd & 4th
• October 11th & 12th
• October 17th & 18th

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Free to be. And that's what celebrating Independence Day is all about in the U.S. Doesn't it sometimes seem, though, that we can get caught up in the party-with-fireworks mindset and don't consider the origins of this much-revered holiday?

In fact, why July 4th? It's a highly appropriate day to celebrate our collective independence from England: the very day the Continental Congress adpoted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Whenever we hear fireworks on July 4th, we can be reminded of "the rockets' red glare" that blasted through the sky during the Revolutionary War, and feel grateful that people cared--and continue to care--enough to risk their lives and even die on behalf of the freedom we enjoy--and sometimes take for granted--today.

Let's try something. Let's make a conscious effort to give each other a break on July 4th this year. Let's be more considerate of each other--on the road, in the market, at the coffee shop, in everything we're doing. Let's try to be people that those who fought and died for our freedom would be proud of. Even one day of mutual courtesy would be a blessing, wouldn't it?

Test how much you know about Independence Day by taking the following fun quiz:

Independence Day Quiz!

From the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, have a creatively Safe, Sane, Contemplative, and HAPPY 4th of July!

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Yes, it's all happening once again--that much-loved Art Tour enjoyed by thousands both inside and outside Santa Cruz County! Open Studios is occurring, as always, in October, yet preparations for another extraordinary presentation have been underway for months. Nearly 300 outstanding visual artists have been selected to open their studios to visitors. Be sure to mark your calendar for these weekends in October:

The 2009-10 Artist Guide/Calendar is currently in production and will be available at many locations around the county on September 1, 2009. If you prefer to avoid the rush, you can pre-purchase your 2009-10 Calendar and have it sent directly to you immediately upon availability. It's a bargain at just $20 (plus s/h)! Just follow this link:

Purchase a 2009-10 Open Studios Artist Guide/Calendar Now!

Your Calendar will be your guide to this brilliant October event!

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There's a new mini-venue in town for 2-D art! That would be the Cultural Council office located at 2400 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz. We've opened up our conference room as well as other office space for the display of work from some of our  community's wonderful artists.

The Featured Artist program began in February 2009 with a fabulous exhibit of exceptional photography by Tom Bullock. Our current Very Fine Exhibitor through August 2009 is Suchitra Fields.

Stop by our office sometime for a peek at what some locals are up to--artistically speaking, that is! To learn more about this program, follow this link:

CCSCC Featured Artist

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There's no question that this past winter and spring have presented us all with some challenges we'd just as soon have avoided where everyday Life is concerned. The impulse pushing us into summer may well be to continue to hunker down, nose to the grindstone, and just blast through these difficult times until the very end of the tunnel.

But we have options. We still need to get through, which may indeed require vast amounts of energy and effort. However, there's a trick of which we can avail ourselves to make the hunkering and blasting a little more bearable, and which can even add some enjoyment to our Herculean efforts.

The trick is: Take a Break. That's right. Simply lift your head every now and then--maybe every 30 minutes or so--sit in a rocking chair on the lawn (even a figurative one will do), drink some water and close your eyes. Go to your happy place--the one we all hear about and know is there but haven't ever taken a moment to visit. Maybe yours lands you in the middle of fabulous artistically creative ruminations...who knows?

This break need only last for a mere 5 minutes, and taking it every 30 minutes truly has the power to transform your mental and physical state. Employing this trick will get us painlessly through the tunnel, and summer in Santa Cruz  is the perfect time to begin.

And then soon...surprise! You'll lift your head and find that Life has become wonderful again. It's well worth a try, isn't it?

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According to Wikipedia:

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25, in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil Way), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

While many of us will enjoy a day off from work this Memorial Day, perhaps spending the day in fun, let's take a moment to reflect on those Americans who have served, and those currently serving in the military on our country's behalf. We send them a heartfelt Thank You.

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This weekend, May 16th & 17th, fun can be had by all at the Santa Cruz River Arts Festival located at San Lorenzo Park. This free, family event is really a showcase of some of the remarkable artists and their wares that allow our community boasting rights. The Festival is a fully enjoyable way to spend a day or two with family and friends as you support your favorite thing in all the world--Arts & Culture! Plentiful tasty food, too! For more information check out the following invitation--yes, YOU are invited! Don't forget to stop by the Cultural Council's information booth to enter a free drawing to win Admission for Two to the 2009 Open Studios Art Tour!

River Arts Festival 2009

You are invited to join in the festivities on Saturday &

Sunday, May 16 & 17,  11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

at the San Lorenzo Park in downtown Santa Cruz.

   Admission is free!

We’re featuring a wonderful collection of unique handcrafted

artworks by over 80 artists.

This year, we have added a Festival Wine Garden where you

can sample local wines, enjoy gourmet food.

Be entertained by performers on the Wine Garden Stage and

Duck Island Stage.

There are over 11 great Art Installations to behold.

Hands-On Art Activities all day long for young and old.

The Kinetic Art Cruz on Sunday at 10 a.m. starting on

Pacific Avenue.

Directions       Festival Map

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Here's something we can do to support the arts in Santa Cruz County: Let's make a point to regularly attend activities that help keep art and culture alive in our community!

Here are a few fun things you, your friends and family, can do in April. These are Cultural Council funded events, and these organizations would love to know you're out there. Show them you care by attending!

• April - August 2009: Museum of Art & History, "Notes from Santa Cruz: The County's Musical History and Compositions--Contemporary Artists. The MAH, Santa Cruz, (831) 429-1964 or www.santacruzmah.org.
• April 18: Santa Cruz Baroque Festival Season Concert, "Listening to Nature: Musique Plein Air, UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, Santa Cruz, (831) 457-9693 or www.scbaroque.org.
• April 25-26: Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra, "Strings Attached: Strings, Guitars, and Flute," Santa Cruz, (831) 425-3149 or www.scchamberplayers.org.
• April 26: Poetry Santa Cruz, with featured reader Nancy Hofmann, Santa Cruz, (831) 464-8983 or www.poetrysantacruz.org.

An unrelated reminder: Don't forget to use www.GoodSearch.com and www.GoodShop.com for all your internet searching and shopping needs! When you select the Cultural Council as your preferred charity, for every search you conduct using GoodSearch, a penny from advertisers is donated to the Cultural Council! And every time you shop at more than 900 internet stores including eBay by going through the GoodShop site, a percentage from advertisers is donated to the Cultural Council. It's a very easy and completely painless way to support your favorite charity: The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County! Click below to get started!

www.GoodSearch.com

www.GoodShop.com

 ENJOY!

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In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the Cultural Council. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to the CC!

Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.

Help the Cultural Council support Arts & Culture through GoodSearch--it's painless!

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Spring is tippy-toeing in--behind those massive rain clouds it's about 72 degrees in the sunshine. Great conditions for uplifting thoughts and inspirational activities.

Sure, the economy is no great shakes. Yes, many of us are struggling financially. All we can do is do what we can to keep our noses above the water line so that when the smoke clears, we're still here and hitting the ground running. 

Louis M. Salerno, the owner of Questroyal Fine Art in New York City has some thoughts on the subject that we can all absorb and make our own:

"Through the Dark Ages, the great famines, the plagues, world wars and the Great Depression, art has been shown, sold, stolen, collected, criticized, condemned and cherished. In 2003, worldwide art sales were estimated at $5 billion. Nothing is certain but death, taxes, and art--the third certainty."

Gotta love that "third certainty!"

Don't forget--Primavera! is this Sunday, March 15, 4:30 p.m. at Chaminade Resort & Spa. Hope to see you there! Click here for details.

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The Cultural Council is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this month! The agency has traveled through a long history of wonderful interaction and experiences with art in Santa Cruz County, and will continue to do so in the years to come--in large part because of all your support.

If you can swing it, come celebrate with us on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at Chaminade Resort & Spa. It promises to be a wonderful gathering of supporters of art and culture in our community. You'll have an opportunity to eat a fabulous gourmet meal with excellent wine, bid on spectacular art and fun getaway packages in both silent and live auctions, and take your chances on some very remarkable raffle prizes. There remains just a few more days to purchase tickets. Click here for more information.

Please join us for the Cultural Council's 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Consider this: You're visiting a dynamic little city, a coastal paradise sporting redwoods on the one hand and the wondrous blue Pacific on the other. Icing the cake is incredibly mild weather.

As you explore the area, you are struck by the diversity you see in the city and surrounding towns in this county--diversity in people, shops, activities, colors, sounds, and visual experiences.

You have a month to check out the area. You decide to enjoy some form of culture and art every single day, taking a couple of days to sit at the beach and reflect on your adventure. Each day you discover one of the following:

Ah, what a county! Absolutely gorgeous in its natural state, with an unbelievably rich, interesting, and fun cultural vibe. You decide you must visit the following year.

Your second trip a year later has you wondering if you took a wrong turn somewhere. You arrive at the very same destination as the first time around, trek to all the places you saw the previous year, yet no matter where you go you find this:

This scenario is potentially only slightly exaggerated. What can we do to protect our county?

Support the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County! Your donation in any denomination makes a monumental difference to arts and culture in our community!

Keep our county colorful! Send a "reality check" to CCSCC, 2400 Chanticleer Ave., Suite G, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, or follow the link below to donate today!

THANKS for your help!

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