Artists around the Pajaro Valley are gearing up for the first-ever Second Saturday Art Tour. The free, monthly three-hour event is built on this theme: “Bring your family, bring your neighbors—let’s make downtown Watsonville the heart of community connection, creativity and culture.”
A soft launch is set for the second Saturday of this month, July 12, from 1-4pm on Main Street and surrounding blocks.
“We’re aiming to help make downtown Watsonville an arts district,” said Kathleen Crocetti, who has been working with Miriam Anton, executive director of Pajaro Valley Arts, and Jessica Beebe, recreation supervisor of Watsonville Parks and Community Services, in creating the event that is modeled after the popular First Friday Arts Tour in Santa Cruz. Crocetti has been the lead artist on scores of outdoor mosaic projects around the county—including Watsonville Brilliante, the giant mosaic work that covers the six-floor parking structure at Rodriguez and Second streets.
“It is time for all of us to choose a date and bring our arts together so we can co-market and grow and share our audience. This is not only to celebrate Watsonville but all of Santa Cruz County where we can create a bigger buzz around our growing culture.”
What to expect:
Live performances by local musicians, dancers and theater groups.
Kid-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, face painting and story time.
Local shopping with pop-ups from downtown retailers and artisan vendors.
Interactive art installations and tours of community murals.
Connection to local nonprofits and community resources.
Crocetti said organizers want to choose a day that people of all ages and families can take part in a free monthly arts and culture celebration.
Organizers also want to incorporate local brick-and-mortar restaurants that will offer Second Saturday-specific discounts.
“The City of Watsonville is one of our biggest partners,” Crocetti said. “Jessica Beebe has been a tremendous boost. We’re super excited about how many activities we are able to offer for this first event, which we hope will continue every second Saturday for years to come,” Crocetti said.
For information, visit watsonvillesecondsaturdays.my.canva.site.
What, when, where
Segundo Sabado/Second Saturday participants on July 12, from 1-4pm, include the following:
Community Arts and Empowerment: The public can view new mosaics that will be installed at Ramsay Park. Ages 11-plus, 26 West Front St.Watsonville Youth Center, Scavenger Hunt, ages 11-17, 30 Maple Ave.
YMCA Zumba Class, 3-4pm, Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St.
Gallery/Exhibit, Pajaro Valley Arts, “Hers, His, Theirs, Ours: Queer Expression!” 1-4pm, 37 Sudden St.Pajaro Valley Arts, Paint Jam: painting in the parking lot, 1-4pm, Porter Building, 280 Main St.
Watsonville Center for the Arts, Galleria Placita Exhibit, 3-4pm, 375 Main St.
Watsonville Center for the Arts, Artist, 1-4pm, 375 Main St.
Watsonville Library: Celebrate a new Braceros Program Exhibit, California Agricultural Workers History Center; with a reception 2-4pm, 275 Main St., Suite 100.
Watsonville Public House, photography by Helbard Alkhassadeh, 1-4pm, 625 Main St.
At Habitat for Humanity ReStore Santa Cruz, any second item purchased is 25% off, 1-4pm, 555 Main St.
Performance by Watsonville Taiko, followed by a community drumming lesson, 1-2:30pm, Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St.
Watsonville Center for the Arts, Estrellas de Esperanza folklórico performance, 3-3:30pm, 375 Main St.Annieglass factory tour, 1:30pm, Annieglass Inc., 310 Harvest Dr.
Watsonville Brillante, walking tour around the county’s largest outdoor mosaic creation, 3-3:45pm, mural on Second Street (near Subway).
