San Benito County Art & Culture Digest

Summer Art Camp allows students to try different artistic styles, mediums and techniques in a condensed workshop format. Art Camps take place at the Art Depot, located in the historic train depot in Hollister.

Amid complaints that a granite sculpture in front of the county building resembles “male genitalia,” the San Benito County Board of Supervisors created an ad hoc committee to come up with a solution that may include removing the artworks completely or installing an informational plaque.

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival has been entertaining audiences across San Benito and Santa Clara counties since 2003. This year, running April 12-19, the festival will show work by four local filmmakers: Alfredo Avila, Anita Reyes, David Butterfield and Eugenia Renteria Vargas.

Caltrans is engaging with the public on the sculptural concept to be installed at Hwy 25 and Meridian Street. Titled “Woven,” the geometric sculpture interlaces painted aluminum panels.

Five local breweries are joining in the production of variations of a Hazy IPA created to celebrate the 2023 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. With base ingredients developed by Sean Fitzharris of San Juan Bautista’s Brewery 25 and Alex DeLeon of Hollister’s Mad Pursuit Brewing Company, each brewer will add their own touches.

The children of San Benito County will have a new opportunity to express their creativity as the Silicon Valley-based nonprofit Audacity Performing Arts Project opens its doors in Hollister.

The Hollister City Council held its first discussion on Dec. 19 concerning re-establishing the July motorcycle rally after residents voted overwhelmingly last month to continue holding the rally, while also voting against changing its date.

KSQD's current frequency contour stretches from Santa Cruz to Aptos. The expansion could reach audiences in Watsonville, Hollister, Prunedale, Monterey, Carmel, Salinas and beyond.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently joined the California Museum in announcing the 15th class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame. They join 138 Californians previously inducted for embodying the state’s innovative spirit.

One possible feature will be a “silent disco” where attendees will wear headphones and the music will be streamed to them so the sounds won’t impact the areas surrounding Laguna Seca.

The 810 frequency on the AM radio dial, where, regional residents tuned in for the news of the day, has begun a new era: coverage of gambling on sports. Station owner Cumulus Media unveiled the new station on Oct. 10, with 810 AM now called “The Spread.”

Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American actress who declined Marlon Brandon’s Oscar in 1973, has died. Littlefeather, who was Apache and Yaqui and born Nov. 14, 1946 in Salinas, died “peacefully at home” in Marin County.

At the Aug. 18 meeting of the Council of San Benito County Governments, directors listened to updates on Caltrans projects—one in Hollister and two in San Juan Bautista—that seek to beautify the towns through public art installations and upgraded scenery.

Since 2018, Library Technician Lead Rochelle Eagen has been reimagining how the Carl Martin Luck Memorial Library can serve the San Juan Bautista community of 2,089 people.

At home in San Juan Bautista, where he’s lived for the better part of his life, playwright Luis Valdez is working on his autobiography just after publishing the first book he’s written to describe the philosophy behind El Teatro Campesino.

The San Benito County Arts Council welcomes artists and arts organizations to apply for the Arts Express Grant Program. Application deadline is June 17.

XeroCuadro Studio, a new film production company of veteran artists from San Juan Bautista’s famed El Teatro Campesino, have created “Kumite,” a film directed by Cristal Avila and written by Ray Rios, who plays both Johnny and Frank in the two-character film.

The Art Depot will be replacing San Benito's Art Space Annex in January, with the new space offering learning opportunities, events and more.

Following a COVID-19 exposure that shut things down, San Benito Stage Company is anticipating holding early November performances of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” with local youth.

Bay Area residents from all over the region are traveling to Casa de Fruta to experience the Northern California Renaissance Fair.

On Sept. 3, the San Benito County Arts Council begins a three-weekend preview exhibition in Hollister prior to the 2021 countywide Open Studios Art Tour.

With her first pop-up art show in 18 months, artist Cindy Couling is excited to be showing her work to the public. Couling will be at Vertigo Coffee Roasters in San Juan Bautista on Aug. 28, one of a series of rotating weekend shows.

For the third Sunday in a row, Native American Elder Laynee Reyna and her husband, Sonne Reyna, were at the plaza in front of Mission San Juan Bautista, encouraging passersby to join them in performing a rain dance.

Take a peek inside Farmhouse Cafe in Hollister and it’s clear some notable changes were made since it reopened two months ago. Customers will now find books, local art and gifts for sale at the entrance.

A new mural soon will enhance the Youth Alliance’s building, a collaborative project under the leadership of artist Victoria Murray and funded in part by the California Arts Council Youth.