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R. Blitzer Gallery

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2801 Mission St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Explore the lively Santa Cruz County art scene every month on the First Friday Art Tour!
First Friday is MAY 2 ✨
Register your event here ⬇️

What’s happening on First Friday, May 2nd?! 👀

What’s happening on First Friday, May 2nd?! 👀 mark your calendars!

Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]

✨ Art Spotlight ✨ Miritz Real Estates’ Art $✨ Art Spotlight ✨ Miritz Real Estates’ Art & Heart For Heroes Fundraiser (for LA Firefighters) - April 4th 2025 18 artists donated their artwork to sell at the show, another artist, a singer, Jenni O’Leary, donated her performance, and all funds raised were directly donated to the LA Firefighters. This event was a huge showcase in what a local community can have when they come together to create positive impact. - @shannakuempel18 , @trenchardjanet , @barbara_baileyporter , @karen.bilgrai.cohen.photo , @aandeart , @yourlocaldarrah , @simona_wheatfall_art , @katharina_short_artist , @leatheam_art , @waresbyruth , @mo.davidson , @kati_kattanek , @mariamallek , @inanadborny , @jcalson , @_jordan_wall Hosted & curated by @caitlinphillipsrealtor - @yourlocaldarrah - @leatheam_art Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]\ Mark your Calendars! The next First Friday will be on May 2nd Thumbnail by @oneisallart Video by @Wendyspresso$

Where did you go for First Friday on April 4th? We $Where did you go for First Friday on April 4th? We found ourselves at @treehousedispensary_sc , fully immersed in the venue groovin’ along to @cementship and celebrating the artists who were showcasing their incredible work. @kanartisanal_ , @primal.henna.arts, @arianaink_tattoo, @coralsglass, @killersweetpea.co, @east.of.orion, @hoaxjeerky, @bakedbycupc8ke, @manegoals_hcd, @sea_moss_healing, @the_wilderwilds, Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]\ Mark your Calendars! The next First Friday will be on May 2nd Video by @wendyspresso$

Last Friday…💭 Was a dream! Huge thank you to

Last Friday…💭
Was a dream! Huge thank you to all our vendors and artists who make First Friday so special.

We kicked off our day at @yescacao for @wendyspresso mural unveiling + chocolate making workshop.

Then we were all over midtown, checking out the wide range of artists present at @treehousedispensary_sc:
@kanartisanal_ , @primal.henna.arts
@arianaink_tattoo, @coralsglass, @killersweetpea.co @east.of.orion @hoaxjeerky @bakedbycupc8ke @manegoals_hcd @sea_moss_healing @the_wilderwilds
@cementship

We made our way over to @miritzandbailey_realestateinc for the Art + Heart for HEROES fundraiser event, and it was bustling! Lots of work sold as we walked through the door and the gratitude could be felt throughout the building.

Interested in having an event for next first Friday? Mark your calendar! It’s May 2nd. ❤️✨

Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]

Thumbnail by @oneisallart
Video by @wendyspresso

YAY! It’s Friday! ❤️✨😍Weve got some inc

YAY! It’s Friday! ❤️✨😍Weve got some incredible galleries and artists getting involved tonight! See you out there!

@thevisionsanctuary
@minnow.arts
@yescacao
@bigbasinvineyards
@thesantacruzhostel
@omgallery_santacruz
@santacruzartexpressions
@tumbleweed.found
@felixkulpagallery
@mkcontemporary.art
@artisansscruz
@the_fabrica_
@homelessgardenproject_store
@little.giant.collective

In the video is @little.giant.collective :)

Find all the happenings around the county on First Friday at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com ⬅️

What’s happening on the Westside for first Frida

What’s happening on the Westside for first Friday?! We’ve got you covered 😎

Chris Johnson Glass | @chrisjohnsonglass
Glass Friday with VJ Sheppard : New Works. We are excited to host our long time friend and hot shop queen, VJ Sheppard.

Bottle Jack Winery | @bottlejackwine
Art and Wine at the Silver Mountain / Bottle Jack tasting room

R. Blitzer Gallery | @rblitzergallery

Opening Reception for Community of Digital Artists (CODA)Members Exhibit features the juried works of 40 Santa Cruz members of CODA and is part of the PhotoCarmel2025 bay area wide celebration.

Stockwell Cellars | @stockwellcellars
Featuring the captivating wildlife photography of Kevin Lohman as he shares insights into his creative process.

✨Mark your calendars! First Friday is April 4th.
Find all the happenings around the county on First Friday at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com ⬅️

✨ART SPOTLIGHT✨ Have you been to @little.gia

✨ART SPOTLIGHT✨

Have you been to @little.giant.collective?

The First Friday team took a deep dive into LGC. Little Giant Collective formed in the summer of 2016 when a group of artists, craftsfolk and musicians found themselves in need of a space to work... interested in the story? Read the blog! 🔗 in bio. ✨

Have you been to @santacruzclay?! We checked out

Have you been to @santacruzclay?!

We checked out their group show this past First Friday. Seeing everyone’s work and their friendly faces was a great start to our night! @samysta, @rossinijeff, @taytayroyanart, @clayingmantis, @tombhala, @thatsnotannie, sadkiawade

Santa Cruz Clay is a collaborative studio providing artists with an inclusive workspace and ceramics education for all skill levels.

Interested in learning how to work with clay, but don’t know where to start? Santa Cruz Clay offers workshops for beginners. Check out their website to learn more! They also have workshops for non-beginners as well.

Open Wed - Mon 11am - 8pm or by appointment.
https://santacruzclay.com

✨Mark your calendars! First Friday is April 4th.
Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]
The deadline to register is March 26th by midnight.
#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

✨✨✨
📸Thumbnail @oneisallart
🎥🎞️✂️@wendyspresso

Have you been to @bigbasinvinyards yet?! Our te

Have you been to @bigbasinvinyards yet?!

Our team got to check out Corals & Florals: A Love Story in Clay by @liljenceramicdesign. This gallery will be up to view through April as well.

Susann Winter of Liljen Ceramic Design, creates floral and coral inspired wall-hanging sculptures alongside contemporary ceramic pieces. A lot of patience and love goes into each piece, ensuring every collector owns something truly one-of-a-kind.

Within the space is also resident artist @randiesilverstein glass and light installation, “Looking Up” and is best viewed at dusk.

✨Mark your calendars! First Friday is April 4th.
Want to host an event? Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]
The deadline to register is March 27th by midnight.
#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

🎥🎞️ @wendyspresso
Thumbnail 📸 @oneisallart

Thank you for the invitation @visitsantacruz !!

Thank you for the invitation @visitsantacruz !!

What an exciting launch for the 2025 - 2026 visitors magazine.

The event at @radiusgallery was lovely as always too!

🍀 Did you make it out for First Friday, March 7

🍀 Did you make it out for First Friday, March 7th? 🍀

We did! Our team made our way to a handful of our registered venues.

First stop was @santacruzclay for their group show. If you haven’t been over to Santa Cruz Clay, make your way over there! The environment is warm, inviting, and inspiring.

@stockwellcellars was up next, to view the featured award-winning wildlife photography by Kevin Lohman, @kevinlohmanphotography

We headed over to @bigbasinvinyards for Corals & Florals: A Love Story in Clay by @liljenceramicdesign & resident artist @randiesilverstein glass work installations.

solaire @hotelparadox to see the works of @abimustapha – her cosmic and spiritual collage art stole the show!

We rounded out the evening with a visit to the @santacruzmah for @accidentallywesanderson – Adventures in Santa Cruz — and it was an evening we won’t forget!

✨Want to host an event for the next First Friday?
Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]
#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

🎥🎞️ @wendyspresso

Feeling lucky!? Downtown Santa Cruz is like the po

Feeling lucky!? Downtown Santa Cruz is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow every First Friday….Rich with art, music, and local goodies!
See you down there tomorrow!

Special shoutout to our newest Venue, OM Gallery | @omgallery_santacruz
Gateway Through the Foliage by @caseyglovinfineart

The MAH | @santacruzmah
@accidentallywesanderson – Adventures in Santa

@solaire_sc & @hotelparadox
Featuring the collage work by local artist @abimustapha and celebrates National Women’s Month.

@mkcontemporary.art
Curious Times - showcasing the vibrant, quirky, and humorous work of eight talented artists from Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. @andreabelcruzart , @dhookersantacruz , @beetleblossom , @zoyascholis , @riyaz_mohammed9 , @mattieleedspottery , @chrismiroyanart @liviasteinart.

@artisansscruz
Sea Love - ‘Every year we are proud to honor our good friend and amazing artist Doug Ross.’

@felixkulpagallery
Felix Kulpa Gallery Presents: ‘You Don’t Know Me,’ A Solo Exhibit by Sculptor @jcsculpture1

@tumbleweed.found
Tumbleweed Found Presents: Applied Arts: Works of Salvage by @pollock_janet

@thevisionsanctuary
The Vision Sanctuary Presents: ‘The Wilderwilds’ - Official opening of the Wilderwilds gift shop. @the_wilderwilds

@botanicandluxe
Botanic and Luxe presents: @followthesunart

@bigbasinvineyards
At Big Basin Vineyards Wine Bar: Corals & Florals: A Love Story in Clay by Susann Winter

@nicely.santacruz
Nicely Presents: FULL to the BRIM - A collection of works

@homelessgardenproject_store
Join us for a special First Friday event with artist Natalia Aandewiel, a classically trained artist from Ukraine, as she showcases her beautiful artwork at our store.

@santacruzartexpressions
Let the music move you—come be part of the magic! @kellifoss_studio

✨Want to host an event?
Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]
#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

It’s Wednesday, and the WESTSIDE is poppin this

It’s Wednesday, and the WESTSIDE is poppin this month! First Friday in 3…2…1! ❤️

Santa Cruz Clay | @Santacruzclay
Featuring Fantastic Friends at Santa Cruz Clay!

Bottle Jack Winery | @bottlejackwine
An evening of art by Michael Armstrong, @Michaelarmstrongfineart and Wine at the Silver Mountain/Bottle Jack Wine Tasting Room!

R. Blitzer Gallery | @rblitzergallery
R Blitzer Gallery Presents: Joohee Kim Miller Paintings. Stop by the Old Wrigley Building on Santa Cruz’s vibrant westside and visit R. Blitzer Gallery

The Loft | @theloftsantacruz
Featuring Mosaics of Barbara Gerry, @barbaragerry and Fused Glass Jewelry of Helena Powell, @helena.powell2

Stockwell Cellars | @stockwellcellars
Featuring the award-winning wildlife photographer Kevin Lohman, @kevinlohmanphotography

Institute of Arts and Sciences, UCSC | @ucscias
UCSC IAS Presents: The First Open-Mic Night at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences!

🎨✨ check out the full lineup of events around the county on our website !!🔗 FirstFridaysSantaCruz.com/ 🔗 in bio!

#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

❤️🗓️ Save the date! 🗓️❤️ First F

❤️🗓️ Save the date! 🗓️❤️
First Friday is March 7th from 5-9pm

What is First Friday?! On the first Friday of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, wineries, breweries, restaurants, and art spaces open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists.
Artists show work in a variety of media and are often there ready to share and talk about their work!

“First Friday gives the community an opportunity to explore our creative culture and experience the vibrant and thriving energy of the Santa Cruz art scene.” - @bree.karpavage, Director of First Friday Santa Cruz

Get ready for an exciting night out! The lively, bustling energy throughout town has become a well-known and highly anticipated monthly event. The hardest part? Seeing it all!

Big thanks to local designer Ted Holladay for this beautiful graphic | @studioholladay

✨Want to host an event?
Register at 🔗 FirstFridaySantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 [Link in bio!]

#firstfridaysantacruz #firstfriday

It’s Tuesday! Let’s start this week off with s

It’s Tuesday! Let’s start this week off with some creativity! 💕

Did you happen to make it out to @mkcontemporary.art this last first Friday?! It was such a treat!

Their exhibition ‘Curious Times’ features vibrant, quirky, and humorous work by @andreabelcruzart , @dhookersantacruz , @beetleblossom , @zoyascholis , @riyaz_mohammed9 , @mattieleedspottery , @chrismiroyanart @liviasteinart.

Save the date! 🗓️ ❤️The next First Friday will be March 7th.

🎨✨ Want to showcase your own event with First Friday?! Register at 🔗 FirstFridaysSantaCruz.com/participate/host-an-event/ 🔗 in bio!

—
🎥🎞️Video by Wendyspresso
📸Thumbnail by @oneisallart

✨❤️✨ We want to extend a warm welcome to o

✨❤️✨ We want to extend a warm welcome to our newest Artists in the First Friday registry! ✨❤️✨

Susan Taylor Brown | @susantaylorbrown
‘I am a self-taught fiber artist inspired by the natural world. My signature Wildscapes—miniature, tactile landscapes—stem from a deep-rooted connection to the lush environment just beyond my studio door.’

Claus Enevoldsen | @cenevoldsen_art
‘As a self-taught painter and digital artist, I draw inspiration from the bold techniques of action painters, the profound expressions of abstract expressionists, and the refined simplicity of minimalists.’

Casey Glovin | @caseyglovinfineart
Blurring the lines between the natural world and creative interpretation, Casey Glovin offers viewers a memorable and immersive visual experience.

Amanda Bird | A. Bird Painting
Paints for ‘the sake of painting and sharing in hopes that their art brings joy to others.’ Amanda is a wastewater professional by day and a hobbyist oil painter in her personal life.

Bria Nathan | @labria.tarpitz
‘Santa Cruz raised, barefoot gardener, dopamine dresser, forager of moments... particularly the teeny tiny moments that captivate. Never perfect, always authentic.’

Megan Kellie | @imdrawinghere
Megan Kellie is an artist, writer and director based in Santa Cruz and Chicago.
She approaches painting with a sense of play and likes to mix humor, expressiveness, and color all on a surface.

Interested in becoming a Registered First Friday Artist?
Go to https://firstfridaysantacruz.com/participate/join-artists-registery/

Mark your Calendars for our Next First Friday! March 7th. Want to register your event? The hard deadline for listings this month is on Wednesday, February 26 by midnight. Go to https://firstfridaysantacruz.com