The Santa Cruz Art League
One of California’s most historic and enduring arts organizations, the Santa Cruz Art League inspires creativity and community through vibrant visual and performing arts.
Our mission to support visual and performing arts and artists through art education, exhibitions, and theatre has guided our actions for more than a century, and we hope to serve our community for centuries to come.
Come Visit Us!
Open Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday, 12 pm - 5 pm
Closures:
Gallery Hours subject to change if closed for installation. View our Gallery Calendar here.
See What’s Happening!
Exhibitions
Our exhibitions are always free and open to the public to view!
95th Annual Landscape Exhibition
July 15 - August 21, 2026
For nine decades, the Santa Cruz Art League’s Statewide Landscape Exhibition has showcased the work of artists who depict California’s foothills, mountains, seashores, and deserts of the interior and coastal regions. We’re proud to celebrate the beauty of our home state and the talent of its artists with this historic exhibition!
With Love, Examining Attachments and Emotion
September 2 - September 25, 2026
What does it look like to be loved? How do we know that we are significant to someone? Love is an experience that manifests in many forms. From the passion of romance, the warmth of family, or even the bitterness of heartbreak, this exhibition shows how artists in our community capture the ephemeral in physical form. We encourage representations of all types of love, including romantic, familial, communal, platonic, and any other form of love that is received or given in a meaningful way.
For all the ways that exist to love and be loved, there are infinitely many ways to experience these emotions and express them through art. In this exhibition, we aim to showcase a wide variety of interpretations and experiences.
Classes
Become a SCAL member for a 12% discount on classes!
Classes
We’re excited to be offering a wide selection of classes from our wonderful team of instructors, with a variety of mediums including pastels, watercolors, oil and acrylic painting, and drawing and sketching! Our classroom welcomes all levels of students, from complete beginners to experienced artists. Take a look at our class listings to find the right one for you!
Critique Groups
Community and discussion are essential to artistic growth! Come join in on our monthly artistic discussion group to get constructive feedback on your art from a welcoming group of fellow artists.
Events
Our First Friday Receptions are always free and open to all!
First Friday - California Landscape Exhibition
Friday, August 7, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Celebrate the beauty of the Golden State.
We are thrilled to host the landmark 95th California Landscape Exhibition! This year, we invite you to join our team, our volunteers, and our community alongside distinguished juror Warren Chang to honor the stunning, diverse scenes that define California.
Come celebrate with us at First Friday on August 7 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. Enjoy refreshments, mingle with fellow art lovers and artists, and be there as Warren Chang presents this year's awards. We can't wait to see you there!
First Friday - “With Love”
Friday, September 4, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
What does it look like to be loved?
From the warmth of family and passion of romance to the quiet strength of friendship and the bittersweet sting of heartbreak, love shapes our lives in infinite ways. Our latest exhibition features artists capturing these fleeting, powerful emotions in physical form, showcasing a diverse range of how we give, receive, and experience love in our community.
Come celebrate these stories and expressions with us! Join us for First Friday on September 4 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM to browse the gallery, mingle with the artists, and connect with fellow community members.
Become a Member
SCAL members enjoy discounted classes, higher commission rates, access to our exclusive member’s exhibition, and many other perks. Becoming a member of our nonprofit organization helps SCAL continue to provide a space for artists to exhibit and sell their work.
Contribute
Donate or volunteer with us to support your local arts community! The Santa Cruz Art League has always been a community-centered organization, and we rely on the generosity of our friends and members to continue providing a space for incredible artists.
Learn More
Curious about what SCAL can do for you? Check out our FAQ or read a bit about our history as one of California’s oldest art organizations.
If you have questions that aren’t answered on our website, we’d love to hear from you! Simply scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out our contact form.
Our Location
526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, Ca, 95060
Our convenient location is just minutes from downtown. Come visit us and explore our gift shop, gallery, and classrooms, as well as our blackbox theater!
Office Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-5pm
*Gallery Hours subject to change if closed for installation. View our Gallery Calendar here.
Land Acknowledgement:
The Santa Cruz Art League is located on the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, comprised of the descendants of indigenous people taken to missions Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista during Spanish colonization of the Central Coast, is today working hard to restore traditional stewardship practices on these lands and heal from historical trauma.
Learn more about the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and support their efforts here:
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
admin@scal.org
Phone
(831) 426-5787
Image credits (top to bottom): Sharon Ferguson, Ed Penniman, Yeshe Jackson, Rafael DeSoto Jr., LaRhee Webster, Tyler Abshier