Featuring the 2013 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year Susana Arias • Exhibit runs March 6 – April 14, 2013
Over the last 28 years, the County of Santa Cruz County Arts Commission has selected and awarded “Artist of the Year” to 25 visual, performing, and literary artists, as well as two outstanding arts organizations. Artists are nominated by the public, and selected by the Arts Commission of Santa Cruz County. Criteria for selection include outstanding achievement in their discipline; contribution to the cultural enrichment of the local community; residence in Santa Cruz County; and national or international standing.
This exhibit honors and shares with you the work of the past recipients and features the 2013 awardee, visual artist Susana Arias. You will have the opportunity to listen and watch recorded performances, view and read the work of our literary artists, and see the work of the visual artists who have received this award.
Susana Arias was born in Panama City, Panama. Since 1978, she has resided in Santa Cruz, California where she is a sculptor and painter. For over thirty years, Susana has contributed to the cultural life of Santa Cruz County as a visual artist, art organizer, and educator. She has shown her work nationally and internationally, and has work in many museums in Latin America as well as the United States.
If you have traveled the Porter Avenue/Bay Avenue underpass, you have already seen a piece by Arias. Her public sculpture “Finding Our Past,” completed in 1996, won the “Environs Enhancement Award” from Cal Trans for that year. In 2007, she won the “Santa Cruz Archaeological Society Presidential Award” for artistic effort and contribution toward archaeological awareness for this project.
Susana has worked on many public projects and has received numerous awards throughout her career, including “Distinguished Artist” in 2001 by the Santa Cruz Art League and “2012 Project of the Year” for the Beach Area Roundabout, given by the American Public works Association / Monterey Bay Chapter, for her artistic contribution to the team, Depot Park, Santa Cruz,
As a volunteer, Susana has made many contributions to the County. Events that Susana has created to enrich and promote art awareness in Santa Cruz County include:
Arias developed and organized Art Extravaganza in 2009, which brought together hundreds of adults and children for a weekend of making art at Sculpture Is: ’09. This event featured demonstrations and workshops by 30 artists in different disciplines. Arias also curated Sculpture Is ’09, an annual sculpture exhibit presented by PVAC at Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens in Watsonville. “These were exceptional events, that made a huge impact in Watsonville, as well as the County. PVAC is so proud of Susana, and so appreciative of her generosity,” states Judy Stabile, President of PVAC.
In 2011 “Experience Clay” — demonstrations, workshops, and exhibit of 25 ceramic artists — Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz, California
She was on the Open Studios Committee from 2007 to 2011
Susana has taught thousands of children through the Cultural Council’s SPECTRA program. Her love of the arts and for children shows in her commitment to both. She is either at her studio painting and sculpting, volunteering at local elementary schools; painting murals and making ceramic sculptures with the children, or organizing large events where many of our beloved artists share their expertise with the public.
Artists of the Year: • 1984 Tandy Beal, Performing Arts • 1985 Lou Harrison, Performing Arts • 1986 James D. Houston, Literary Arts • 1987 Cabrillo Music Festival, Performing Arts • 1988 George Barati, Performing Arts • 1989 Charles N. Hilger, Visual Arts • 1990 Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County • 1991 William Everson, Literary Arts • 1992 Douglas McClellan, Visual Arts • 1993 Jack Zajac, Visual Arts • 1994 Linda Burman Hal, Performing Arts • 1995 Adrienne Rich, Literary Arts • 1996 Frans Lanting, Visual Arts • 1997 Paul Whitworth, Performing Arts • 1998 Lynda Watson, Visual Arts • 1999 Morton Marcus, Literary Arts • 2001 Carol Summers, Visual Arts • 2002 Jessica Williams, Performing Arts • 2003 Karen Thuesen Massaro, Visual Arts • 2005 “Sista” Monica Parker, Performing Arts • 2006 Laurie R. King, Literary Arts • 2007 Richard Deutsch, Visual Arts • 2008 Manuel Santana, Visual Arts • 2010 Robert Kelley, Performing Arts • 2011 Philip Collins, Performing Arts • 2012 Gary Young, Literary Arts • 2013 Susana Arias, Visual Arts