There’s just something about art and books together. They pair up like peanut butter and chocolate or cookies and milk. And that’s certainly the case at the Santa Maria Public Library.
The new library has been in the public eye quite a bit since its August opening, followed by a library shop and a cafe;. But amid this burst of firsts, there’s another first-ever event, one that plays off of the touches of art in the building’s design, architecture, and display cases. In the meeting room known as Shepard Hall, an inaugural art exhibition showcases contemporary work from artists with Santa Maria Valley ties. The artwork, in its many forms, demonstrates each artist’s relationship with the area. The exhibit presents art that makes bold statements about contemporary issues. It’s a message that library visitors have responded to positively.
“The exhibit has really been well received,” said city graphics technician Deborah Hildinger. “We’ve had a lot of people that have been very pleased to have art on display.”
Hildinger, who is an artist herself, said that people are constantly looking through the exhibit, and she’s even had some inquiries about purchasing some of the work on display.
“It’s great to have contemporary art up for the public to see,” she said.
John Hood, a fine arts faculty member at Allan Hancock College and the 5th District County of Santa Barbara Arts Commissioner, pulled together artists for this first exhibition. He said that he was connected to most of the artists through the college, and that they’ve spent years refining their skills in their chosen media. Each one has developed a unique voice. And though many of them have gone on to further their artistic studies, they’ve each been moved in some way by events, memories, or inspirations linked to the Central Coast.
“Each artist brings a breath of fresh air for me—they have presented creative approaches to their craft in subject matter and surface treatments,” he said.
But that creative approach is where the artists’ similarities end. Their contributions are as different from each other as are the minds that created them.
For instance, visitors walking into Shepard Hall will find paintings and photographs and three-dimensional art. And then there’s Michael Burn’s box works, which visitors are invited to pick up and rearrange around the room. Hood cites Burn’s work as a perfect out-of-the-ordinary example, calling the box works “so beautifully rendered,” though they’re banal in and of themselves.
The choice to feature contemporary art was intentional on Hood’s part. He said that he believed Santa Maria deserves art that’s atypical not only in subject matter, but also in the materials used.
“Traditional imagery is found throughout this region in abundance, so this was an opportunity to showcase contemporary works that [aren’t] often exhibited in this area,” Hood said.
He also chose the art he did in anticipation of a comment that he now hears most often:
“I didn’t know this type of art was being created here.”
“Now individuals are walking through the gallery and having critical reactions to what they are viewing,” he said. “Not everyone likes what they see, but it is provoking thought and discussion, which is not only needed, but healthy for one’s own intellectual growth.”
Curating this type of show was a challenge as well as an honor for Hood, who said that it demonstrates that things are beginning to turn around for the arts in Santa Maria, a city that’s seen a historic shortage of venues. Despite the past, Santa Maria has responded warmly, Hood said, as indicated by the amount of artwork sold.
“I see the gallery becoming a beacon for the arts in [Santa Maria]—a place to showcase innovative arts for years to come,” Hood said.
INFOBOX: Read into art
The current exhibition at the Santa Maria Public Library will be on display through Sept. 30 in Shepard Hall.
The next exhibition will feature work from Santa Maria’s Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains event. City graphics technician Deborah Hildinger said that the library hasn’t yet determined how future exhibitions will be determined, but there’s a plan in progress. Any artist interested in displaying at Shepard Hall can contact Hildinger at 925-0951, Ext. 117.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone is an out-of-the-ordinary writer. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 2, 2008.