September 5, 2013 – January 3, 2014
In “Down on the Farm”, seven local artists explore the beauty and bounty of the bucolic life. The show, curated by Joan Blackmer, includes 90 works of art and spans across Santa Cruz County Bank’s five locations (listed below). Exhibiting artists are Marnie Dufau, Paul Henri, Bonnie Minardi, Mary Offermann, Marlene Olson, Melinda Picatti and Marvin Plummer. All “Down on the Farm” artwork is for sale, with 100% of sales going directly to the artists.
Artwork in “Down on the Farm” reflects the beauty of the simple life on the farm and the rustic feel of living off the land. Participating artist, Mary Offermann, shares her artist’s statement, stating, “The farm is central to our human civilization; it is where we confront nature and work with the alchemy of light and earth to yield nourishment. I love the cycles of the seasons; the eternal vernal rebirth after the darkness of winter, the fertile summer and the resplendent fall. What better canvas than the farm to celebrate nature’s cycles? Without the farm we would still be hunters and gatherers. In the very act of cultivating the earth we make it possible to cultivate ourselves.”
Special Event: An opening reception and Pajaro Valley Chamber mixer will be held on Thursday, September 5th from 5-7pm at 595 Auto Center Drive in Watsonville. The event is free and the public is welcomed to attend.
“Down on the Farm” will be on display through January 3, 2014. The Santa Cruz County Bank Arts Collaborative is an outreach effort to promote professional artists and art education by providing exhibiting artists with promotional assistance and by mounting public 
exhibitions in its banking offices throughout the county. In 2007, Santa Cruz County Bank received the ArtWORKS Emerging Business Award granted by the Santa Cruz Arts Commission for its support of the arts.
Exhibit Locations:
Aptos – 7775 Soquel Drive
Capitola – 819 Bay Avenue
Santa Cruz – 720 Front Street
Scotts Valley – 4604 Scotts Valley Drive
Watsonville – 595 Auto Center Drive
Exhibit Viewing Hours:
Monday through Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 6pm excluding Holidays.