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701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, except holidays
2025 Spotlight Award Recipients On exhibit on the 5th floor of the County Government Ctr. until Oct. 14: Katie Simpson - mixed-media paintings Priscilla Martinez - mixed-media paintings & digital graphic design Kara Saiki - paper mache masks
Located at the Simpkins Family Swim Center, Surf Live Oak is a pop-up gallery highlighting the area's unique surf culture; including vintage boards, and the legacy of local surfboard manufacturers and shops from the 1960s through the 80s. The Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society (SCSCPS), in collaboration with the MAH, mapped the locations of the early surf shops in this area and brought their stories to life. These spaces were more than just surf shops–they were places for young aspiring surfers to meet, gain knowledge, and listen to the advice and surf lore of older generations of surfers. While many of these shops are long gone, their locations live on via the MAH’s Historic Landmark Blue Plaque Program. The exhibition will be open to the public 6am-7:30pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays.
County Govenment Center Exhibitions Santa Cruz County Parks and Arts Council Santa Cruz County collaborate to present three exhibitions at the County Government Center. Paintings, prints, crafts, photographs, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, drawings, and mixed-media works by local artists and crafts people are exhibited year-round. Each exhibit shows work from five local artists and typically run for 2-3 months. Artists who apply may be contacted (if desired) about exhibiting their work at other County facilities, including Health Services Agency, South Co. Government Ctr., Swim Center, and others. Applications for 2026 Exhibitions are currently being accepted.
Exhibitions at the Simpkins Family Swim Center/Live Oak Library Annex Santa Cruz County artists, arts organizations, and history groups are invited to apply for an exhibition in the Simpkins Family Center/Live Oak Library Annex (979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz). Preference will be given to artists/exhibitors who feature Live Oak related imagery and content. Applications are currently being accepted for 2026 exhibitions.
(831) 454-7901 (General)
Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays
parksinfo@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov (General)
Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited.