Shakespeare adaptation celebrates Hispanic culture
APTOS—When tasked with choosing a production for Cabrillo College Theater Arts Department’s Fall 2022 season, Abel Cornejo knew he wanted to find something that celebrated Hispanic culture.
After a long search, however, Cornejo still hadn't found just the right play. That’s when he had the...
Capitola Plein Air paints its fifth year
CAPITOLA—Forty artists from across the county fanned out around Capitola last week with canvas, easels, chalk and tubes of color in tow, in hopes of distilling a handful of the coastal city’s choice land and seascapes on canvas and paper.
The efforts were part of...
Arts Now working with districts to spark students’ creativity
WATSONVILLE—As lunchtime drew to a close Wednesday, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Starlight Elementary School began to gradually filter into the classroom of art teacher Meredith Branan Freeman.
They were there to learn about stop-motion animation and create their own movies. Some students worked individually,...
Traditional casserole of the Americas
In South America, you would recognize this dish, Pastel de Choclo, as a popular family casserole. To me, it resembles the classic 1950’s American Tamale Pie that appeared at least monthly on the Ringler family dinner table when we lived in Bakersfield. Both are...
Cabrillo Gallery opens first exhibit of the year
APTOS—Cardboard is a material that nearly everyone has at their disposal. Often used in packaging and shipping, it is usually broken down to recycle or saved to reuse.
But cardboard can also be full of possibilities for artists. This is apparent at “Extraordinary Ordinary,” Cabrillo...
Cabrillo’s annual fundraising exhibit returns
APTOS—A collection of 207 art pieces will be on display at the Cabrillo Gallery in Aptos on Monday as part of the college’s annual “12x12: An Open Invitational” fundraising exhibit.
The art ranges from traditional oil and acrylic paintings to pieces created with found objects,...
Aptos choirs holding holiday concerts in December
APTOS—The Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High School choir departments have been hard at work for the past few months, preparing for their upcoming “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert.
Along the way, they dealt with some bumps in the road—most notably the power...
Artist raises $1,000 for Ukrainian children through Open Studios
APTOS—Local artist and Pajaro Valley Arts exhibit coordinator Hedwig Heerschop recently raised $1,000 during the Open Studios Art Tour for children in Ukraine.
Heerschop, a fine art photographer and printmaker, raffled off one of her photograph etchings, depicting a blue and yellow sunflower. She sold...
Cabrillo Gallery opens annual Faculty & Staff exhibit
APTOS—Cabrillo College classes started Aug. 29, and with it came the first exhibition of the year at the school’s on-campus art gallery.
Connections: Cabrillo Art, Photography & Art History Faculty & Staff Exhibition is now open and will run through Sept. 23. The annual show...
Former local teacher pens first novel
WATSONVILLE—A new book has hit the shelves, “Fruit of the Devil,” by retired Pajaro Valley Unified School District teacher Mary Flodin.
The novel unfolds between the exclusive golf courses of Pebble Beach to the world-famous surf breaks of Santa Cruz and the fertile lands of...























