Upcoming Exhibitions
Yermo Aranda Retrospective
Yermo Aranda, “Diosa de Jade”
On View: Wednesday, January 14 - Friday, February 20, 2026
First Friday Reception: February 6, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, January 31, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
For more than five decades, Yermo Aranda has devoted his life to creating art that honors community, ancestry, and the living spirit of culture. As one of the central figures in California’s mural movement, Aranda’s creative practice extends far beyond public walls — encompassing a rich body of drawings, color studies, and studio works that reveal the evolution of his vision and philosophy.
This retrospective brings together over 55 years of his artistic journey. Each piece embodies the artist’s deep reverence for the natural world and his Mexican and Indigenous roots. His art reminds us that to paint is to remember — to give form to stories and values that sustain generations. This exhibition celebrates not only Aranda’s mastery of form and color, but also his enduring message: that creativity is a bridge between tradition and the future.
Back and Forth
The Unintended Beauty of Textiles
Jody Alexander, “What it Was No. 29, Frontside”
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. In this exhibit textile artists will be invited to show two pieces - one piece shown with the intended side visible, and the other piece shown exposing the backside.
These artists each work with important themes such as identity, gender, race, invasive species, immigration, war, memory, ecology, etc. and although a great deal of thought, planning, and research go into their pieces, sometimes it is important to pause and appreciate the messy and unintended beauty of its making. Exhibition curated by Jody Alexander.
High School Show
68th Annual Countywide Exhibition
Hanjing Zhang, “Untitled”
67th Annual High School Show, 2025
On View: Wednesday, April 22 - Friday, May 15, 2026
Artist Reception: Saturday, April 25, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
First Friday Reception: May 1, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Since 1955, our annual High School Show has provided a professional gallery space for emerging artists across Santa Cruz County, now marking its 68th year. Each year, 80 to 200 students from public, private, charter, home, and at-risk schools showcase their creativity, many for the first time beyond the classroom. Over the decades, an estimated 8,400 young artists have benefited from this opportunity to share their voices and talents. This enduring tradition reflects the Art League’s grassroots commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists and inspiring them to dream big.
Curate This!
UCSC Internship Show
Catherine Amis, “Let it Slough Off”
Curate This! 2025: Transmutation
On View: Wednesday, May 27 - Friday, June 5, 2026
First Friday Reception: June 5, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
SCAL is proud to host a wide variety of exhibitions spanning many mediums, themes, and age groups. We are thrilled to work with UCSC to provide an opportunity for student curators to achieve professional experience, and give college-aged artists from cross the Bay Area a chance to be featured in a professional gallery.
Next / Now
Mystery Work: Generations
Artwork by Lance Sims
On View: Friday, June 12 - Friday, July 3, 2026
First Friday: July 3, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
This exhibition is designed to showcase the ways in which art can connect families and can be passed down through generations. For this three-week exhibition, we’ll be showcasing the work of two local families: the Eckerman family and the Offerman family.
The title mystery work refers to the artistic process: one starts with an inspiration, an idea, an emotional response. By doing the work, one creates something material which is most often a surprise. That is the mystery and delight of it.
California Landscape Show
95th Annual Statewide Exhibition
Michelle Tidwell, “Cambria Coast No. 2”
94th Annual California Landscape Show, 2025
On View: Wednesday, July 15 - Friday, August 21, 2026
First Friday: August 7, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Artist Talk: TBA
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
On View: Friday August 28 - Friday September 11, 2026
First Friday Reception: September 4, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
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.
Open Studios Preview Exhibit
On View: Saturday, September 26 - Sunday, October 18, 2026
Opening Reception: Sunday, September 27, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
First Friday Reception: October 2, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The Annual Open Studios Art Tour is a county-wide tradition, hosted and sponsored by the Arts Council Santa Cruz County. The Santa Cruz Art League is thrilled to once again host the Open Studios Preview Exhibit, where Open Studios artists are invited to display an exemplary piece as a preview of their studio tour. Come see their work to get a head start on planning your tour, and pick up your artist postcards and studio guidebooks while you’re at it!
Luck of the Draw
On View: Wednesday, October 28 - Saturday, November 7, 2026
First Friday Reception: November 6, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Luck of the Draw Event: November 7, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Imagine winning an original, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork while simultaneously supporting the arts in our community. Luck of the Draw is our annual fundraiser, where ticket-holders take home original works donated by artists in our community. With each ticket, you’re entered into a thrilling raffle where, when your name is called, you get to choose any of the available artwork right off the gallery walls!
Members’ Exhibition
Arthur Waidhofer, "Natural Bridges Eucalyptus"
Members’ Exhibition 2025
On View: Wednesday, November 18 - Friday, December 18, 2026
First Friday Reception: December 4, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Come celebrate the amazing members who make SCAL into the community of artistry and talent that we are! This exhibition showcases the artwork of our members at all levels in their artistic journeys.
The Santa Cruz Art League has been able to maintain a space for artistic expression and growth since 1919, thanks to our extensive membership made up of artists from all walks of life. Through the Members’ Exhibition, we celebrate our present cohort and honor our past. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our dedicated members whose support has been instrumental in keeping our organization alive, and we take great pleasure in showcasing the exceptional talents of our diverse group of artists.