Alan Riggle stared out of his window in Cambria. As he gazed at his tree-covered property stretching out before him, he had an idea. The abstract sculptor usually makes pieces that end up in television shows, movies, and car commercials, but for once the nature that surrounded him also inspired him. “I thought, ‘This stuff […]
Arts
Saying goodbye
The David Ryan Gallery in Old Orcutt, one of the few remaining art galleries in the Santa Maria area, is set to hang its last piece of art. The gallery will close by the end of December. The decision wasn’t an easy one for owners Ron and Terri Thatcher. The gallery was never about making […]
Arts Briefs
‘Sing to Me’ series starts at C Gallery No tech hassles. No wires. Just some acoustic music. That’s how Connie Rohde of the The C Gallery in Los Alamos described the first in the “Sing To Me” recital series. Linni Gilfrey will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the gallery. Wine and refreshments […]
Spiritual content
David Stroup is searching for the spiritual connection between humanity and nature. And on his journey, he packs a camera. Seeing the connection between the human spirit and the landscape that surrounds it through the lens of a camera has helped him share that vision. He creates black-and-white, large-format photos that depict nature in its […]
Something old, something new
It started out with a little old lady, clutching an umbrella, sitting in a parking lot at 7 a.m. on a drizzly morning. I wondered who she was and what she was doing. I later found out that she was waiting for the bus that takes patrons to and from the Chumash Casino. The bus […]
Arts Briefs
MotionZ hosts Haunted Circus Get your spook on at the MotionZ Haunted Circus. Tours will be offered Oct. 29 through 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event promises to be a truly frightful one, so it’s not suitable for small children or the faint of heart. However, all bearded ladies, acrobats, and cannibals— as […]
Dress like a sleuth
Sammy Keyes has encountered singing nuns, costumed wrestlers, cranky seniors, busy girl scouts, and flashy artists—and that’s just in a few of her books. The teen sleuth’s adventures seem tailor-made to be a jumping off point for a costume party—they’re packed with colorful characters who tend to wear crazy outfits—so it’s not surprising that Santa […]
Pop goes the art
The very nature of contemporary art is interpretative and unexpected. So when Connie Rohde of the C Gallery in Los Alamos put out a call for artist submissions for the current Common Object Show, she knew she’d get some interesting responses. The show is about each artist’s individual interpretation of the word “pop.” Submissions ranged […]
Arts Briefs
Stinn and Shinn take their show on the road Two local artists are packing their works and heading south. Gerry Stinn and Bill Shinn will have a reception, demonstration, and book signing at the Santa Barbara Art Museum Store. The Stinn and Shinn Trunk Show will take place on Oct. 25 at the store. In […]
A dash of the surreal
Splash a Disney cartoon character with bright paint, then slowly melt it on a barbecue while listening to one of the trippier Beatles’ albums. Your end result may begin to approach something born from the brain of Brent Parker. The jack-of-all-visual-artsy-trades, Sun freelancer, and former Santa Maria Arts Council grant recipient is currently showing his […]
Sweet serenade
The Allan Hancock College Singers have been on a high note lately. From an upcoming concert in which they’ll be collaborating with the San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra, to an invitation to perform at the annual Hearst Castle Holiday Gala, the choir has found that it’s inspired others to sing—sing its praises. Dr. Ann Lucas, […]
Arts Briefs
‘Pops’ goes the new director The Allan Hancock College Pops season opens with a new band director for the first time in 40 years. Greg Stoll has taken over baton duties from retiring longtime band leader Gary Thompson to lead the first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at First Baptist […]

