Santa Maria Sun / Art

Community creating culture

BY JOE PAYNE

Connoisseur of color: Central Coast artist Taffy French-Gray is showing her paintings at the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall through the end of the month. Her work aims to portray the character of her subject, whether that’s a person, animal, or landscape. Her vivid use of color is inspired by the way light strikes an object and the way pigments combine. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARA VOSS

Don’t miss it The Santa Maria Public Library presents the exhibit “Color in Nature,” featuring paintings by Taffy French-Gray showing through January in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 381; rnarez@ci.santa-maria.ca.us; or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.

A public library should represent an entire community. Truly meant for everyone, a good library offers limitless access (other than hours of operation, of course) to information, art, and other important resources. To that end, the Santa Maria Public Library operates its Shepard Hall as a venue for artists to present their works for a month at a time.

Currently showing is the work of Taffy French-Gray, a Central Coast resident with a passion for colorful painting. French-Gray isn’t alone in displaying art in the library. Several display cases in the entrance are also open to artists and nonprofits aiming to display their works.

People are welcome to submit their works to be considered for the 2013 season at Shepard Hall. Entries will be accepted through early March, with visual artists showing their works in the hall and three-dimensional artists showing in the library’s display cases.

Join the dialogue The Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Gallery has announced its “2013 Gallery Exhibition Call for Artists.” Works are juried by the library’s Art Advisory Committee and are selected based on submitted images. The deadline to apply is March 8 at 6 p.m. Applications are available at the Santa Maria Public Library, the Orcutt Branch Library, or Santa Maria’s website at ci.santa-maria.ca.us/3096-03.shtml. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 832; svoss@ci.santa-maria.ca.us; or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.

Whether enjoying the art displayed at the library as an observer or taking part in the creative dialogue with art of your own, the library is a cultural cornerstone in Santa Maria that shouldn’t be missed.

Arts Editor Joe Payne is a work of art. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.