Scotts Valley Artisans Adds Classes and Artists to New Space

The non-profit arts collective, Scotts Valley Artisans, opened its doors for business in a brand new location on Friday. Now located in the old Scotts Valley Library—a space three times the size of their old space—Scotts Valley Artisans announced that they will be able to add 75 more Santa Cruz County artists to the 90 they are already supporting.

“Not only is the display area expanded but we have classrooms now so we will be giving all kinds of classes,” owner Pam Nielsen said.

The new space features a classroom off the main gallery floor, as well as a kitchen which will be useful for events, and a back storage area they plan on letting Lloyd’s Music use for music lessons. 

All kinds of arts classes are already being scheduled by various local artists, and they don’t stop at visual arts. Performing arts will be added to the mix as well, including country line dancing classes, yoga classes and live music. 

Come springtime, Nielsen hopes to expand hours into the evening for live music shows. She also plans on starting up a regular crafters market in the parking lot in front of the shop, possibly in conjunction with the Saturday morning farmers market in Scotts Valley.

“We are really wanting this to be a community art center, this is our goal,” Nielsen said. “And we’re really hoping this place can be a destination place for the arts not just for Scotts Valley but for the entire county.” 

Nielsen says she knew within a few months of opening that they would be able to expand to support more artists. 

“The response from the artists and from the community was really so good,” Nielsen said.

The Scotts Valley Artisans store only keeps 15 percent of sales, as opposed to much greater percentages kept by most art galleries. Artists pay $48 dollars in rent each month to sell their art, which is what helps keep the doors open.

“I think that’s a real key about this model, we can keep this place open as long as we have artists. And we don’t have to rely on artists’ sales to stay open,” Nielsen said.  

Scotts Valley Artisans is primarily a venue for Santa Cruz County artists, from south county all the way to Davenport and Bonny Doon, but Nielsen says the expansion will allow her to let in a few more artists from just below the south county line.

“There are three communities just south of the county that are kind of a no man's land. They really don’t have any places with a central population to show their art, so we’re going to take a small percentage of those artists in,” Nielsen said, referring to Prunedale, Aromas, and Moss Landing.

Scotts Valley Artisans’ criteria for art is that it is technically well made, handmade by the person that brings it in, and something that they don’t already have. 

“Anything that is handmade well is an art,” Nielsen said. 

Currently, there seems to be a niche open for homemade children’s toys and textiles. 

The public is invited to a grand re-opening celebration on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 6-9 p.m.

The new Scotts Valley Artisans is at 230-D Mt. Hermon Road in the Kings Village Shopping Center, between Bruno's BBQ and Cineplex. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.