First Friday Santa Cruz

Events

Events

Canceling May 2nd- Our NEW location: Nicely gallery, decor and design is celebrating 2 years… June 6th!

Nicely: Gallery, Decor and Design 1349 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

We moved Nicely: 1349 Pacific Ave. With all the dedication to the unexpected move, there is still more to do before we open. Nicely, gallery, decor and design will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary and ribbon cutting, First Friday June 6th! Join us and celebrate our Grand Opening on Pacific Ave.! Michelle Nicely will […]

Live Oak Jack Rabbit Student Art Reception

Palace Art & Office Supply 1501-K 41st Ave, Capitola, CA

The 4th Annual Live Oak Jack Rabbit art, athletic, music, and food festival will take place on 4/26 at Shoreline Middle School! Event participants and the LOJR panel of judges will select 12 student artists for recognition from Del Mar Elementary, Green Acres Elementary, Live Oak Elementary, Shoreline Middle School, Tierra Pacifica, and Ocean Alternative […]

San Francisco Art Institute Alumni Artists Show in Santa Cruz

R. Blitzer Gallery 2801 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Physical Illusions Disappear-Mindful Concepts Remain Intact Make us your first stop on First Friday May 2 for Happy Hour from 4-7 pm and celebrate the alumni artists of the San Franciso Art Institute exhibition. Artists are Judy Gittelsohn, Bob Slote, Bruce Pollack, Maggie Viale, Emmanuelle Namont, Kirk Leclaire, Lawrence White, Robert Hyatt, Timothy Kopra, Gordon […]

Kuumbwa Jazz: Celebrating Creativity – 50th Anniversary Exhibit Premiere & Conversation

Kuumbwa Jazz 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, California

Join us for this special First Friday event commemorating Kuumbwa Jazz’s 50th anniversary. Enjoy the premiere of Celebrating Creativity, an exhibit spanning 50 years of Kuumbwa archives, including posters, photos, and historical ephemera. At 6 PM there will be a conversation with Kuumbwa co-founder Tim Jackson and Bay Area vocalist Kim Nalley, exploring Kuumbwa’s history […]

Katell Le Bourdonnec at Stripe

Stripe the Store 107 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

Stripe is thrilled to rejoin the First Friday art tour! We are kicking things off with a show featuring the vibrant, intricate collages of Katell Le Bourdonnec, and a pop-up with Anne Vantalon, who will be bringing her gorgeous paper flowers. Katell Le Bourdonnec is a French artist based in Santa Cruz, California. "I strongly […]

Micro May at the Museum

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff DR, Santa Cruz, CA

Big fun can come in small packages! Micro May will magnify your curiosity with naturalists who specialize in the science of small. All month long, the Museum’s Public Programs will be showcasing mini-marvels as we explore the tiny treasures of Santa Cruz that are often hiding in plain sight. From microfossils to microplastics, parasites to […]

Building for Generations, Shared Adventures and MBHTC First Friday!

Live Oak Refillery 1135 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, California

Join Live Oak Refillery for this epic event with Building for Generations, Shared Adventures and MBHTC! So much cool art and gifts from these amazing, artistic and dedicated individuals. Come make some new friends, check out all their goods, and enjoy some delicious food and drinks!

67th Annual Countywide High School Show

Santa Cruz Art League 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA

Since 1955, the Santa Cruz Art League’s High School Show has been providing one of the only professional gallery exhibitions for high school-age artists in the county. Students from public, private, charter, home, and at-risk schools are invited to benefit from the Art League’s state-of-the-art space, giving a preview of the up and coming young […]

First Friday at the Santa Cruz Hostel: Art, Music & History Come Alive!

Santa Cruz Hostel 321 Main Street, Santa Cruz, CA

Join us on Thursday, May 2nd for a magical evening at the historic Santa Cruz Hostel, nestled in the charming Carmelita Cottages. We're celebrating First Friday with an inspiring mix of art, live music, and local culture—and you’re invited! Featured Artist: Explore the bold and evocative sculptures of Jeff Arnett, a local poet and sculptor […]

Ancient Traditions / Modern Arts

Radius Gallery 1050 River St #127, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

"Ancient Traditions / Modern Arts : Metals and Textiles" Born out of the love of working with our hands. April 9 - May 11, 2025 Born out of the love of working with their hands, the Monterey Bay Metals Arts Guild and Santa Cruz Textile Arts Guild bring one of a kind pieces together for […]

First Friday with Bridget Mary Henry: Friend or Foe

Tumbleweed Found 1025 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Bridget Henry is a California based printmaker known for her hand carved woodcuts. Her work often explores the intersections of nature, perception, and transformation. Drawing from both ecological themes and personal experience, she uses traditional printmaking techniques to explore questions about how we define and relate to the world around us. Friend or Foe is […]

Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room & Wine Bar: Donna Maurillo Photography | Visions from My Third Eye

Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room and Wine Bar 525 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Donna Maurillo Photography | Visions from My Third Eye Visual art is music for our eyes. It can make us feel empathy, wonder, happiness, love, sadness, and all the other emotions available to humans. And like music, it has color, tone, movement, mood, and much more. When I view the world through my camera, I […]

Unveiling the Space Cowboy

Michael Leeds Studio 738 Chestnut Street, Santa Crux, ca

Michael Leeds hosts a Spring Open House! He will unveil his newest creation, the "Space Cowboy." It is an interplanetary, interdimensional object with a time-travel option from the factory. Hold on to your hats, this baby runs! This is a rare and special occasion - not to miss!

May First Friday @ Treehouse!

Treehouse Dispensary 3651 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA, United States

Photo: Artist Frankie Romero May FIRST FRIDAY at TREEHOUSE! It's May, and the days are longer & warmer! Come celebrate Spring being in full swing with us! Stop by & enjoy great music, great deals on cannabis, great gift opportunities from local artisans, & great community. :) We offer specials on our featured cannabis brands, […]

Mud, Blood & Jungle Juice: A Retrospective

Sacred Mud Henna & Tattoo - A Healing Gallery River Street South, Santa Cruz, California, United States

We, Joseph Jason Santiago LaCour and Rica Smith de la Luz aka Sacred Poets invite visitors to our new exhibit Mud, Blood and Jungle Juice: A Retrospective, featuring photos and videos of our personal explorations in ancient body art practices used to anchor us in the world and remind us of our sacredness. Honoring the […]

Lotus Radiance: Dreamscapes by Elizabeth Lee

Om Gallery 1201 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA

Featured artist, Elizabeth Lee is a Hapa abstract painter working primarily in acrylics. Elizabeth often blends imagery from her Chinese heritage with more contemporary styles and themes. She loves abstraction because it uses the energy of color to create a visceral experience for the viewer. Her approach can be considered shamanistic with the living work […]

The Underground Network:Magic of Mycelium

Felix Kulpa Gallery & Sculpture Garden 107 Elm St, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Underground Network:Magic of Mycelium May 2-June 28,2025 Receptions for the artists: May2 and June 6 from 5 to 8pm Gallery Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 to 6pm Free and open to the public

Minnow Arts Presents: Rope, Rubber, and Rudders

Minnow Arts 204 Locust Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

In a society obsessed with shiny newness, there are those who are instead drawn to crusty found objects reclaimed from the dark underbelly of our throw-away culture. Sometimes these things just need a little dusting off or rearranging, and Mark Cunningham, Jonathan Steinberg, and Ethan Estess are the folks for the job. Unfortunately, global plastic […]

First Friday May 2,2025

Santa Cruz Art Expressions 1545-A Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

Sure! Here’s a polished announcement you can use: ⸻ First Friday at Santa Cruz Art Expressions Friday, May 2 | 5–9 PM Pacific Avenue, Downtown Santa Cruz Join us for a vibrant evening of art, music, and community at Santa Cruz Art Expressions! Doors open at 5 PM—come explore inspiring local artwork, sip on refreshments, […]

The Contemporary Nude @ Carboncillo Tattoo

Carboncillo Tattoo Potrero Street, Santa Cruz, California, United States

Join us for The Contemporary Nude, an evening of figure-focused charcoal drawings and oil paintings by local artists Pedro Rodriguez and Emmanuel Cervantes Mejia. The work was developed through ongoing figure drawing sessions around Santa Cruz, showcasing a range of studies and finished pieces focused on anatomy, gesture, and form. Enjoy good company, local art, […]

Jenee Gill – New Work!

Studio 105 - Tannery Arts Center 1060 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Studio 105 presents new work by resident artist Jenee Gill. Pop by the Tannery for a night of art!

Youth Art Exhibit at the County Government Building

Santa Cruz County Government Center 701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Arts Council Santa Cruz County and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education teamed up again to organize the annual Youth Art Exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Government Center! The artwork is currently on display now through May 5, 2025! This year, we have 500 pieces of student art from across the county […]

Oakland DJ, Wine/Kombucha/Pizza + Honouring the Feminine!

SoulCare Studios 8035 SOQUEL DR STE 35, Aptos, CA

Friday, May 2nd 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. FREE Theme: Honoring All Mothers Join us for a heart-centered evening as we honor all mothers—birth mothers, chosen mothers, Earth Mother, and the mothering spirit within us all. This special First Friday at SoulCare Studios is a celebration of creativity, healing, and community connection through music, art, and […]

First Friday with Janet Trenchard

Stockwell Cellars 1100 Fair Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Join us for an inspiring evening of art, wine, and live music at our First Friday exhibit featuring the captivating mixed media work of Janet Trenchard. Janet's paintings are rooted in both kinesthetic and visual pleasure, reflecting a deep connection to the process of creation. She explores texture, inclusions, and pouring techniques to evoke a […]

First Friday at Artisans & agency with Carissa Rose

Artisans & agency 1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

We’re celebrating the beauty of nature through the eyes of Carissa Rose, our former store manager and dear friend! While she won’t be there in person, her stunning giclée prints and cards—all created from flowers and plants grown in her Pacific Northwest garden—will be on display and available for purchase. Join us on Friday, May […]

Here to Eternity – A Celebration of Queer Creativity and Expression and we welcome students from Fashion Teen Santa Cruz!

M.K. Contemporary Art 703 Front Street, SANTA CRUZ, CA, United States

First Friday of May at MK Contemporary Art - May 2, 6 to 8 PM In partnership with Santa Cruz Pride, honoring the 50th Anniversary Celebration, "Here to Eternity", a bold and moving celebration of queer creativity and expression, (we will also be hosting an Artist Reception, Saturday May 3rd, 4-6PM). Featuring work by local […]

Come and see our May Flower Show.

Printmakers at the Tannery 1060 River St #107, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Come join us on First Friday, May 2, and see our May Flower Show. Work by PATT printmakers Jane Gregorius, Mary Neater, Janis O'Driscoll, Cindy Haug, Andrée LeBourveau, and Linda Craighead.

Quilts and other textile works by Annalie Taylor.

The Fábrica 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

"My quilts are a chance for me to learn from my materials and to give them a second life. Most of my fabric is sourced second-hand from places like the Fábrica or local thrift stores. I incorporate natural dyes, some of which are locally foraged, and the slow and steady practice of hand quilting, which […]

Spring Into Art & Community

The Homeless Garden Project Downtown Store 1338 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

First Friday at the Homeless Garden Project Store Featuring Sylvia Valentine’s “HeartFelt & Found” Mixed Media Floral Art Friday, May 2 | 6:00–8:30 PM 1338 Pacific Ave., Downtown Santa Cruz Join us for First Friday in Downtown Santa Cruz and celebrate the arrival of spring with local art, good food, and a deeper mission. The […]

Out of Office – Works by Mike Bencze

Little Giant Collective 115 River St. S., Santa Cruz, CA

Little Giant Collective presents Out of Office - Works by Mike Bencze Since 2016, Mike Bencze has been documenting hiking trips and interpreting landscapes through illustration and silkscreen prints. His style is filtered through the lens of comic books and graphic novels, utilizing detailed linework, stylized effects, and rich colors. Each piece serves as a […]