The Museum of Art has three floors of displays and is located in the heart of the rebuilt Pacific Avenue Mall, which was damaged in an earthquake in 1989. Changing exhibits — some traveling, some local — offer a variety of experiences in a variety of media. Permanent exhibits also are well-rounded with a section devoted to local history. It contains interactive exhibits suitable for the entire family.

Corbin Gallery Stuart Abelman Abelman Art Glass Van Nuys, California

Check out the museum store for innovative souvenirs and then head along Pacific Avenue to Hany Hands Gallery. Local artists show and sell wall displays, ceramics, jewelry and pottery. In fact, there are several galleries along the downtown street, including Shen’s Gallery, Artisans, The Vault, Corbin Gallery and Tenggara.

The Glass Gallery Denali Crystal---Opal Fire

The Glass Gallery is located at 123 Locust Street in downtown Santa Cruz. This renowned gallery attracts glass enthusiasts from around the world who come to view the paperweights, both modern and antique, as well as contemporary glass sculptures. Housed within the gallery is the only paperweight museum on the West Coast. Here you can learn more about glassmaking. Since 1969, L. H. Selman Ltd. has been promoting this unique and collectible art, educating and inviting people to discover the beauty of glass. For more information, call 831-427-1177 or visit the website at www.TheGlassGallery.com.

The Glass Gallery II Michael Hopko --- Octopus

The Glass Gallery II is located just 5 doors from The Glass Gallery (at 103 Locust Street, Santa Cruz) and exhibits original studio designs created by local and international artists. The Glass Gallery II celebrated its grand opening in March 2003, and is a work of art itself, conceived and built by well-known designer and interior architect Daniel MacLeith of Pacific Westline (Anaheim, CA). Since 1969, L. H. Selman Ltd. has been promoting this unique and collectible art, educating and inviting people to discover the beauty of glass. For more information, call 831-427-1177 or visit the website at www.TheGlassGallery.com.

Annieglass, which has presented its unique glassware to the White House and sells through high-end department stores, has two stores in town. It’s all a part of the creative atmosphere of this boutique-style shopping district.

Made in Santa Cruz Ceramics Michael Lambert's Teapots with an Attitude

Close by are Dancing Man Gallery on Maple Street and Atelier on Cedar Street. Expect to be challenged and surprised a little with the displays here. These galleries will help you expand your definitions of art. And out on the Municipal Wharf, Made in Santa Cruz offers souvenirs produced solely by Santa Cruz artists.

But to really get an idea of how the locals like to work, check out the Art League on Broadway, just a few blocks from the main downtown Santa Cruz area. "It really shows the local artists," says Director Richard Bennett. "It’s down to earth."

Sharon Medler Morning Sunrise Online Gallery

He especially recommends the Distinguished Artist exhibit each year, which honors people who are deeply involved in the community and are "forward thinking," Bennett says.

He also recommends keeping on the lookout for lots of sculpture along your way in downtown Santa Cruz and in other parts of the Monterey Bay Area. In addition to the Surf Museum, which tells the surf history of Santa Cruz and is located on West Cliff Drive, a few sculptures add to the enjoyment of a walk along land’s edge too.

Bennett points out that the University of California at Santa Cruz has two major galleries, Senson and Porter, showing student and faculty art of excellent quality and the gallery at Cabrillo Community College. "There’s a lot more experimental stuff in Santa Cruz," Bennett says.

Ben Lomond Mountain Arts Center "Ta Da!" Welcoming wire sculpture 7' x 6' x 3' by Cynthia New

Other areas to seek out art in the northern end of the Monterey Bay include the Ben Lomond Mountain Arts Center which shows the creative energies of those mountain artists and West Coast Weathervanes in Bonny Doon, which creates weathervanes as art that are sold all over the world. Combine this jaunt with a trip along Mission Street, where several artists have located studios, including Santa Cruz Pottery, and a cluster at Mission and Swift streets on the edge of town.