More than 30 locally created artworks will be exhibited at the Santa Maria Airport through the end of September, as part of Valley Art Gallery’s new group show. This exhibit highlights contemporary works from various media including oil paintings, painted silk, and jewelry.
The show is open to the public during the airport’s operational hours. A press release from the gallery described the new display as “a safe place to stay 6 feet away and get a chance to see contemporary art from local artists.” The exhibit’s special featured artist is Glenda Stevens, and participating artists include Esther Bartlett (pictured), Claudia Wageman, Howard Ramsden, Rob Paulus, Taffy French-Gray, John Card, Margaret Steller, Marilyn Benson, and several others.
In conjunction with the exhibit, Valley Art Gallery is encouraging attendees to take part in an optional “treasure hunt.” While the hunt itself is not an official competition, it consists of a series of questions for viewers to answer while observing the artworks. The list includes questions like: “What is the name of the woman who is smoking in the painting by Glenda Stevens?”; “How many birds are in the sky in Hattie Stoddard’s piece, Vikings?”; and “What is the crop being grown in Rolling Hills by Pat Stalter?”
To find out more about Orcutt’s Valley Art Gallery and its latest group exhibition, its first in-person show since mid-March when COVID-19 mitigation measures began, visit valleygallery.org or follow the venue on Facebook.
The gallery has previously exhibited at the Santa Maria Airport for Metal Fusion, a showcase of metallic art by local artist Shamrock Acosta, in 2019 and other shows. The airport is located at 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2020.