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Nearly two dozen local artists showed off their creativity as part of the San Benito County Arts Council’s Open Studios Art Tour on May 16-17.
The annual tour is a longstanding tradition, Arts Council Communications Lead Vanessa Prudencio said, with 23 artists joining the event from Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas.
“Since COVID, we haven’t done it for four years.” Prudencio said. “We’re happy to bring it back, revive it, and support local artists.”
Established artists have taken part in the tour for as long as the council has been around, she said, but there are also newer artists who are well-honed into the practice.
“They’re familiar with vending and sales,” Prudencio said, “and self-promotion. But it is also for emerging artists who might just be getting their start, or they’re not quite at the point in their career where they want to identify as established.”
She said the tour got great feedback from other artists. In addition, Prudencio said, “We had more foot traffic on Saturday than Sunday. And at the Art Depot, we had four established artists, four emerging artists and 19 established returning artists.”
She said she was glad to help facilitate the showcase for artists and the community and hopes they have more opportunities to bridge the gap between audiences and creators.
Julia Bruin, founder of House of Alchemy Art, uses reflective surfaces to explore themes of transformation, energy, and emotional storytelling.
“I’m showcasing a 12-piece collection called ‘What Lies Within,’” Bruin said. “It’s a symbolic collection of mirror and mixed media work, expoloring reflection, resilience, and inner illumination.”
“Valor,” one of her favorite pieces, is made with a tiger’s eye and clear quartz. Another, called “Expansion,” is made with Malachite, fluoride and citrine, as well as clear quartz, and “Gilded Heart” uses rose and clear quartz.
“I say it is symbolic,” Bruin said, “and it makes the media definitely outside of the box and energetic. The idea behind my art is to bring positive energy into the viewer’s home.”
She said energy is everything and bringing this out can possibly inspire others to find their creative side.
“It is something that is an exploration of inner self,” Bruin said.
Betty Johnson, a realistic acrylic painter, said she enjoys painting local landscapes.
“I love our beautiful area, wildlife, animals and also like to paint people,”she said. “They deeply inspire me and something catches my eye, I want to share my interpretation with the viewers”
Johnson said she loves details and doesn’t mind taking the time to get everything exactly right, as it brings her joy.
“I’ve been doing it all my life,” she said. “Its a part of me now.”
Betty Johnson with her paintings and prints.
Photo by Adam Bell.
Julia Bruin Haus of Alchemy Art.
Photo by Adam Bell.
Paintings and prints.
Photo by Adam Bell.
Alchemy Art.
Photo by Adam Bell.
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