SHELLY CONE

Nonprofits throughout the Central Coast have been hard pressed to keep going—especially nonprofits tasked with providing arts programs. But somehow, they’ve managed to keep going, usually with the help of strong supporters and financial contributions. The Santa Maria Philharmonic got a new lease on life from increased contributions after an aggressive fundraising push, as well […]

Tony Piazza has been a lot of things in his career, but right now one of his favorite titles is “author.” He just released The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, an action-adventure book that follows on the heels of his first book, the Hollywood-based Anything Short of Murder. Piazza grew up in the ’60s and […]

It’s been a long time since I chaperoned a field trip for my kids, so when I had the chance to tag along with my son’s fourth grade class to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, I was pretty excited. We rode the school bus, and I was surprised to see that kids on […]

Every student deserves a chance to show his or her talent—especially when that talent is great. Each year, Allan Hancock College’s Fine Arts department does just that with its annual Fine Arts Student Art Show, showcasing juried items of exceptional quality created by students for display. This year, more than 120 works in various media, […]

Each year, Santa Maria Valley artists get together their best works and put them on display for the community to see at the Brush and Palette Art Show. The event has been a favorite of the community and artists for more than a decade because of the variety of styles it showcases and the chance […]

What one culture sees as utilitarian can sometimes have a much more complicated presence elsewhere. Consider the simple woven basket. For many African ethnic groups, the basket is much more than just a way to carry things. It’s a method of communication, an integral part of important ceremonies, and an art form. [image-2] Lompoc Museum […]

When the dust settles after a tragedy, what are sometimes left are questions that can never be answered and relationships that will never be the same. Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s performance of Rabbit Hole explores the aftermath of tragedy and the dynamics that go into finding normalcy again. Becca and Howie Corbett face a life-shattering […]

Most of the time the dysfunctional relationship between a mom and her son is no laughing matter—but that’s only if you haven’t seen Lompoc Civic Theatre’s take on the concept. Lompoc Civic Theatre takes the issue of the overbearing mom and the son who’s never quite let go and brings out the humor in it. […]