First Friday

SCAL is thrilled to host monthly First Friday receptions. Join us for refreshments, community, and incredible exhibitions. Our receptions are 5:00 - 7:30 pm on the First Friday of the month. Check out our upcoming exhibitions page to see our current and upcoming exhibitions!

First Friday receptions at the Santa Cruz Art League are FREE for anyone to attend, and our gallery is always free to visit!

There will be no food or beverages allowed in the gallery or lobby due to the nature of the artwork installed until April 10. First Friday refreshments will be served in the classroom on February 6 and March 6.

Back and Forth: The Unintended Beauty of Textiles

Jody Alexander, “What it Was, no. 29 - Back Side”

On View: Wednesday, March 4 - Friday, April 10, 2026

First Friday Reception: March 6, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Fiber artists often remark about how they like the backside of their work better than the front side that they planned, designed, and labored over. The backside of fiber arts pieces are often quite beautiful in an unexpected, unintentional, and raw way. It exposes the mechanics of its making, its flaws, knots, bleeding colors, and muted hues. In this exhibit each textile artist is exhibiting multiple pieces - at least one piece shown with the intended side visible, and at least one exposing the backside. 

In the spirit of this textile exhibit, we’re inviting First Friday attendees to show off their artistic apparel. If you own or create wearable art, please show it off at SCAL!

Exhibition curated by Jody Alexander.