There’s been something missing from the local art scene for years, and that lack has frustrated artists and art lovers alike. It’s venues. There pretty much aren’t any in the Santa Maria area.
The situation has forced artists to get creative and find alternative ways to showcase their work.
That photo in the lobby of your doctor’s office? It was likely taken by a local artist, and it’s probably for sale. Same with the painting you enjoy looking at while in line at the bank. Those tabletop sculptures behind the glass on the way to the baggage area at the airport are there for more than just your viewing pleasure. While art in these locations dresses up the place, it also represents the results of thinking outside the box and gives artists more space to expose their wares.
When the Town Center Gallery lost its show space last year, artists found a friend in Good Neighbor Bakery, which donated space to the gallery and continues to host shows even though the gallery moved into its new location in Town Center West.
Coffee Diem in the mall has embraced art as a way to offer its customers more than just caffeine. Owner Carmen Jenkins has teamed up with artist Mel Felix to whip up beauty with breakfast. The café will become part bistro, part art gallery, with Felix acting as artist in residence and art director. The space will be treated like a traditional gallery—not a community one—with an emphasis on juried and professional-quality art. Jenkins has always thought coffee and art go hand in hand—or, in this case, cup in hand.
“Coffee Diem has been around for seven years. I had been working on getting art, music at the old location, but it never came together. But over here, it just fell into my hands,” Jenkins said about her new location in the mall.
Coffee Diem moved into its new space in April. Large and open, the shop is hard to miss, and it gets pretty good foot traffic. That’s a good thing for Jenkins: Two of those feet belonged to artist Felix.
“We got to chatting, and I said maybe I can bring in some of my pieces, and I did,” Felix said. “I kind of monopolized the place.”
Not long after, the idea for a full-blown gallery evolved.
Jenkins will be adding upscale food items and Madonna Inn pastries to the menu. She also hopes to soon add some quality gift items.
“You can have a cup of coffee surrounded by beautiful art and fantastic food,” Jenkins said.
Felix said three Central Coast artists will be featured each month. This month’s lineup is Sharon Foster, Beth Ostapiuk, and Rosalea Greenwood.
Felix said that so far they’ve sold half a dozen pieces just from people walking in and happening upon the art. Much of that happenstance is because of the café’s location.
“The location is dynamite,” Felix said, adding that he’d be pleased to see more competition because it would mean more chances for people to view art—something he’s been trying to get people to do since he moved here a few years ago.
“Ever since I’ve been in Santa Maria, I’ve tried to promote art here and make the community aware of the art that’s here,” he said.
Felix is vice president of the Town Center Gallery and is an artist and photographer. He’s spearheaded several events in the area driven by his mission to get art to the masses.
“This is the most exciting thing I’ve been involved in,” Felix said.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone wants to see coffee art. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 6-13, 2009.
