“Southwestern” is a clay and mixed media work by Native American Aptos artist Becky Olvera Schultz.

In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, a new art exhibit has gone up on the walls of  the Aptos Branch Library.
Aptos artist Becky Olvera Schultz, who is part of the Kickapoo/Shawnee tribe, is sharing the exhibit with fellow artist Karen Whitaker. The show runs through Dec. 31 with 22 works by Olvera Schultz and 16 by Whitaker. 

“I derive immense satisfaction from putting life into the materials I work with. My art is an extension of my spirit, a piece of my personal vision and a constant source of comfort and healing for me,” Olvera Schultz said.

“Traditional Pow Wow Dancer” is a giclée print by Becky Olvera Schultz.

She said that after the loss of her brother a friend suggested taking a Native American drum making class as a distraction. The class reawakened earlier interests in art and working with her hands. That led to working with clay and sculpting faces and masks. 

“I believe my own indigenous bloodline, natural talent, research and travel experiences have all contributed to my specific style of art,” she said.

Whitaker said that she is “strongly moved by the ocean, clouds and ambient landscapes as well as figurative work.” Experimenting with new techniques and color, she says, “offers me a wide realm of possibilities in exploring ideas. My work has been described as having a subtlety of subject because it bridges the gap between pure abstraction and representational art. Inspiration comes from various sources but I am most affected by atmospheric Native American and ambient music as it allows me to enter into areas of introspection and emotion.” 

“Earth Mother” is an acrylic on canvas painting by Karen Whitaker.

The Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz County Public Library is at 7695 Soquel Dr.

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Tarmo Hannula has been the lead photographer with The Pajaronian newspaper in Watsonville since 1997. More recently Good Times & Press Banner. He also reports on a wide range of topics, including police, fire, environment, schools, the arts and events. A fifth generation Californian, Tarmo was born in the Mother Lode of the Sierra (Columbia) and has lived in Santa Cruz County since the late 1970s. He earned a BA from UC Santa Cruz and has traveled to 33 countries.

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