In the Oct. 5 issue, Gini Griffin made some excellent points about the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art limiting exposure for local artists (“Something was missing from the SLO public art article”). If we must accept that SLOMA has different goals with its relatively new and official status as a museum, there is still a hole in the center of San Luis Obispo with respect to the arts and local artists.
We exist in one of the most beautiful areas in the world. We have hundreds of amazingly talented artists in our area. The entire county is a tourist destination, including the city of San Luis Obispo. Imagine San Luis Obispo being an “art destination” in California, the likes of Carmel by the Sea and Laguna Beach. It could happen. Somehow, we need to find a location in the center of SLO where Central Coast Artists Collective artists and others can exhibit full time, not just for scheduled shows. If art collectors come, then more galleries will come, and more tourists with dollars to contribute to the local economy will also come.
Rosemary Bauer
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in Pet Issue 2023.
Excellent letter, Rosemary Bauer! I would include that a center for visual arts should include several “meeting” and/or workshop spaces that local arts groups would be eligible to rent. Currently all our arts organizations are scrambling to find meeting spaces that are centrally located and affordable. SLOMA used to provide a meeting space for partner groups, but not any more.
If the demand is there why isn’t someone forming a non-profit and getting it done? It we behoove those in the local arts community to organize something and get it done.