Scotts Valley Artisans

Listings

Parties: Scotts Valley Artisans

There is nothing better than hosting a group of friends for your next party at our studio. Inquire about times and dates for your next party by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Classes: Scotts Valley Artisans

We offer a wide variety of classes for all different age groups. Classes are another excellent way to perfect your artistic skills. Inquire about times and dates for classes by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Camps: Scotts Valley Artisans

Camps are a great way for kids to get introduced to the basics of art and drawing. Inquire about times and dates by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Details

230 Mt Hermon Rd Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 439-9094
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Business Overview

Our Mission Scotts Valley Artisans is a non-profit community art center featuring the work of over 150 Santa Cruz County artists. Scotts Valley Artisans provides a permanent and affordable showcase for local artists to display and sell their work. Our mission is: to expand the reach and elevate the profile of artists in Santa Cruz County; to increase access to affordable, handmade art for the community; to foster art education classes, and public events and programs that will bring the community together; to help solidify Santa Cruz County's reputation as an art destination center. Our History Scotts Valley Artisans (SVA) opened in March of 2011 with 40 participating artists, and grew to over 80 artists by June of that year. The response from the community and from local Santa Cruz County artists was overwhelmingly positive and supportive right from the beginning. It became evident soon after SVA's grand opening that there was a critical and unmet need in our County for affordable, permanent display space for local artists, particularly in this challenging economy. Many local galleries and art boutiques have closed their doors in the last few years, and many of those that remain open cater to artists outside of our County, and don't often have space for new local artists. Galleries typically take a 50% commission on all sales, which pushes artists to double their prices in order to make a minimal profit. In this way, the typical gallery model inflates the price of art, resulting in fewer sales to a more limited, wealthier clientele, often squeezing the regular middle class art lover out of the market. To address this critical need, Scotts Valley Artisans secured its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in December of 2011, and in January of 2012, moved into its new 5600 square foot art center. The new space now accommodates over 150 local Santa Cruz County artists, with more joining us every week, and includes a large classroom space which is available for all participating artists to use for a nominal fee. Our first public reception in the new art center was a resounding success, drawing over 1000 attendees. Looking Ahead Upcoming events and programs in 2012 will include a full schedule of affordable art education classes taught by our participating artists, along with gallery openings, artist receptions, and outdoor art shows which will be free to the public. Plans are underway for our "Artist-in-Residence Program," an outdoor "Santa Cruz County Artists" crafters market, and the Scotts Valley "Mural-in-a-Day" Project. As more local artists join Scotts Valley Artisans, we must meet the challenge we will soon face of reaching maximum display capacity in our new facility - a challenge, we admit, we are facing much sooner than expected. This "good" problem is a result, we believe, of the value and timeliness of the Scotts Valley Artisans model, and we are eager to begin expanding this model to other parts of Santa Cruz County. Read more