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Santa Cruz Public Libraries provide exhibit space for art at branches across the county. We feature everything from ceramics to oil paintings to tapestries.

Janis O'Driscoll Prints

La Selva Beach Branch Library, January 3- March 1, 2026

Janis O’Driscoll spent her childhood observing her world with a sketchbook and pencil and carried that habit into adulthood. A college instructor encouraged her to transpose her drawings to intaglio and in her first etching course, she began to see printmaking as the next logical step in a lifetime of drawing.

No longer the final product, drawing became the first step in experimenting and re-working images at the press. She is an active member of Printmakers at the Tannery (PATT) in Santa Cruz, CA and sits on its Executive Board.

Her current work focuses on line and stories that begin with the natural world.

John Gavrilis

Aptos Branch Library, January 3- March 28, 2026

A native of Berkeley, California, John Gavrilis has lived in Aptos since 1986. John has been a professional photographer since 1976. A former chronicler of the halcyon days of the San Francisco music scene, he has captured such immortal portraits of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead and other rock legends. In the mid 1970’s, John worked at Winterland (in San Francisco), where he was an “unofficial” photographer for rock music promoter, Bill Graham Productions. 

John now concentrates on nature’s landscapes. From 1985 until 2014, John’s primary camera of choice was a Large Format 4x5 view camera. Although somewhat retired, John currently photographs with a Nikon 45mp full frame digital camera.

John has participated in numerous professional Art Exhibits, throughout California and the Southwest. Locally, he has participated at the Capitola Art & Wine Festival for 40 consecutive years and in “Open Studios” for over 30 years.

Laura Staats

Felton Branch Library, January 3- March 31, 2026

Staats’s work draws viewers into the serene beauty of the natural world. “Each piece is a unique reflection of the natural world, capturing its essence and tranquility,” she says. “Immerse yourself in the harmony of art and nature.” A lifelong artist, Staats has always turned to creative expression as an essential emotional outlet – what she describes as “a calling, a fulfilling emotional outlet that I cannot be without.” Primarily an oil painter, she also explores drawing, ceramics, photography, and even modern digital tools. She uses Photoshop as a “virtual sketchbook,” layering images, experimenting with transparency, and blending traditional techniques with contemporary technology to bring her visions to life.

At the heart of her practice is a deep fascination with the world’s visual layers. “The beauty and complexity of the world around us never ceases to amaze me,” Staats reflects. “As an artist, I have trained myself to be a keen observer and look deeply at my surroundings.”

Ultimately, her goal is to spark connection and awareness. “Through my art, I hope to encourage viewers to look more critically at the world around them,” she says. “Whether the goal is to simply draw attention to the beauty that surrounds us, to inspire empathy, or to call for social or environmental change, I hope to create work that will resonate with and inspire others in a meaningful way.”

Suzy Radonsky Animal Art

Scotts Valley Branch Library, January 3- April 3, 2026

Suzy Radonsky is a self-taught Santa Cruz acrylic painter specializing in neo-realistic wildlife and pet portraits, layering bold colors beneath intricate fur, feathers and scales.

Her work goes beyond realism - she aims to capture the soul of each animal, bringing their spirit to life on canvas. After serving in the USAF, Suzy chased adventure overseas, became a whitewater guide, a brewery tour leader and eventually found her way back to art.

Her artistic journey deepened after her son’s autism diagnosis, helping her to see the world through new eyes. When she’s not wrangling two energetic kiddos, you’ll find her painting at The Tannery Art Complex, Studio #123.

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