The Santa Maria Public Library hosts a new solo exhibition showcasing the work of Esther Bartlett in the library’s Shepard Hall Gallery, starting Wednesday, Feb. 5. The show will run through Thursday, March 5, and is part of an ongoing series curated by the library’s Art Advisory Committee.
Ever since she can remember, Bartlett has loved art, according to a press release. Born in San Diego and raised in Santa Barbara, Bartlett spent her childhood creating her own paper dolls and posters. Later in adulthood, Bartlett worked for United Airlines and enjoyed traveling all over Europe, admiring the work of several artists along the way. She would go on to study art and music at El Camino College.
Bartlett has worked with many media over the years—including oils, watercolor, stained glass, and sculpture—and her most recent artistic passion is for silk painting.
“Currently, silk painting has become my favorite and most exciting media,” the Santa Maria-based artist said in the release. “Trying to control the dyes and gutta is a challenge, but it is always a pleasure to see the finished product.”
Library patrons and art enthusiasts are encouraged to stop by and view Bartlett’s artwork. There are no designated gallery viewing hours. To plan a gallery visit, guests are asked to check the library’s events calendar online at cityofsantamaria.org/library for availability. Other upcoming artists in the series include Andrew Klein, Mayra Campos, Megan Leal-Gring, Sally Antram, and Marilyn Benson.
Shepard Hall Gallery is located inside the Santa Maria Public Library, at 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Call (805) 925-0994 for more details.
This article appears in Jan 23-30, 2020.
