Arts & Culture

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Forty years ago, artist Annie Morhauser arrived in Santa Cruz County with a passion for glass and a dream to succeed. After graduating from the California College of the Arts with a degree in glassmaking, Morhauser set up shop in a small, 400-square-foot...

For decades, Watsonville-based Mexican folklórico group Esperanza del Valle (EDV) has been learning from master dance instructors from Mexico.  One of these teachers, Daniel del Valle Hernandez, will join Esperanza for its upcoming show, “Homenaje a Veracruz,” which is scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13...

Every year, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) opens its annual exhibit inspired by Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday commemorating loved ones and community members who have died.  “Mi Casa es Tu Casa” returned to PVA Oct. 26. This...

WATSONVILLE—This Friday the Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) will present its Fifth Annual Día de Muertos celebration at Watsonville City Plaza.  The event will feature a screening of the Disney/Pixar animated movie “Coco,” as well as music, dance and artwork inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday,...

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...

Come December, the Bockius-Orr House and Gardens at the Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) on West Beach Street will be decorated more than ever before, with strands of garland, Christmas touches and twinkling lights adorning the nearby oak trees. This year, PVHA’s annual No-Attendance Mail-In...

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...

WATSONVILLE—October is Filipino American History Month, commemorating the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States in 1587. The month was first introduced in 1992 by the Filipino American National Historical Society, and was officially recognized by Congress in 2009. Since then, communities...

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...

Rev. John Juno Song, pastor at the Watsonville First United Methodist Church, shows off one of ten new "icons" recently installed in the church's sanctuary. Icons are traditionally Eastern Orthodox works of art placed into churches through a dedication ceremony. Song said he has...