WATSONVILLE — Every year, artists from around the county and beyond bring their larger-than-life sculptures to Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens for the annual “Sculpture IS” exhibit.
Some sculptures are sold during the months-long duration of the exhibit. But many of them stay and join an ever-expanding permanent exhibit in the gardens.
After 11 years, Sierra Azul is now a wonderland of unique plants contrasted with one-of-a-kind sculptures that are spread throughout the two-acre gardens.
“Sculpture IS: In the Garden” opens Thursday at 2660 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville, and runs through Oct. 31. A reception will take place on June 29 from 5-7 p.m.
“It just makes the garden much better,” said Jeff Rosendale, owner of Sierra Azul. “It adds another element that makes it worthwhile.”
More than 100 sculptures have filled the nursery, from 50 artists, with media ranging from steel, wood, ceramics, bronze and more. About 14 artists are new to the exhibit this year, he noted.
Rosendale estimates that 1,000 different sculptures have made their way through the gardens since the exhibit’s inception 11 years ago.
More than a decade ago, Pajaro Valley Arts volunteers visited artists from around the county to begin gathering pieces for an upcoming sculpture exhibit. But one of the artists, Moto Ohtake, felt that his work would not be accurately represented in the limited space at the Pajaro Valley Gallery.
Recognizing that sculpture can be larger than a room at the gallery, Judy Stabile and Mary Warshaw of Pajaro Valley Arts approached Rosendale asking if the nursery would be willing to host an outdoor exhibit.
Rosendale said he was exposed to art in gardens about 25 years ago in the East Bay area, and walked away inspired.
“It makes the gardens a lot more whimsical, more personal,” he said.
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Sierra Azul Nursery & Gardens, 2660 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For information, call 728-2532 or visit www.sierraazul.com.
