By Linda Segal
After a two-year hiatus, 35 invited artists enthusiastically returned for the sixth annual Capitola Plein Air.
The artists attend a reception at Shadowbrook Restaurant, a treasured tradition to Capitola Plein Air.
From Nov. 1-6, they delighted inquisitive passersby with their unique styles and perspectives. Ever-changing weather afforded them opportunities to capture the textures and hues of every condition, from fog and rain to brilliant sunshine.
They quickly got to work, spreading out across Capitola’s city limits, along with Pleasure Point, New Brighton Beach, and Nisene Marks.
Santa Cruz artist Maggie Renner Hellmann describes the experience this way. “Painting outdoors ‘en plein-air’ is…challenging and exhilarating. Light and mood change quickly … I must capture the three-dimensional landscape with passion, intuition and energy, onto a two-dimensional canvas … as required in expressive plein-air painting.”
Barbara Tapp works on her painting of the Steel Bridge at Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, which wins first place in the Capitola Plein Air competition.
On Nov. 7, the fruits of their labors of love were on display at New Brighton Middle School in Capitola. Several hundred attendees were treated to a free gallery viewing of more than 200 original paintings of our local environs.
Hopeful art buyers were rewarded, as were the artists, since this year’s show produced record sales.
Prior to the viewing public’s arrival, judge Patty Beiderman declared overall prize winners and honorable mentions. First and second place pieces will become part of the City of Capitola’s art collection and be on display in City Council chambers.
Awe Steel Bridge • Barbara Tapp
First Place
Barbara Tapp, “Awe Steel Bridge”
Second Place
Steven McDonald, “Incoming”
Honorable Mentions
Chad Hunter, “The Venetian” • Sally Bookman, “San Jose Avenue” • Marie Massey, “Capitola Splash” • Durre Waseem, “After the Rain in Capitola” • Bonnie Carver, “A Touch of Class” • Joe Ortiz, “Two Trees, Two Bushes, Two Shadows” • Randall Stauss, “Sweet Capitola” • Paul Rickard, “After the Rain: Nisene Marks” • Annette McGowan, “Capitola Bike Rail” • John Crawford, “Private Beach” • Kristian Matthews, “Days End” • Mark Monsarrat, “Depot Hill Overlook”
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Special Recognition Awards from local businesses
Local artist Lupe Santos won an award from Times Publishing Group, Inc., for a painting entitled, “Bougainvilleas.”
Meisha Grichuhin, “Patterns in the Sand” • Capitola Village/Wharf Business Improvement Area
Paul Fortis, “Capitola Bridge” • Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce”
Coraly Hanson, “God’s Glory” • Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors
Lupe Santos, “Bougainvilleas” • Times Publishing Group, Inc.
Tanvi Buch, “Classic Capitola” • Palace Arts
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Artists’ Choice
Duree Waseem “After the Rain in Capitola”
People’s Choice
Coraly Hanson “Park Avenue Vista”
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The City of Capitola and Capitola Art and Cultural Commission, which sponsor the event, recognize and thank Capitola Village/Wharf Business Improvement Area members for offering generous discounts to the artists all week. Very special thanks go to Shadowbrook Restaurant for hosting the midweek Artists’ Reception on their creekside patio.
Thank you to additional contributing sponsors: Best Western Plus, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria and Shadowbrook Restaurant, all in Capitola.
Top Photo: Artist Kerrie Brandau painting on Capitola Wharf.