For the 13th year in a row, the Scotts Valley Art and Wine Festival will act as a showcase for the city’s local artists, vintners, craftspeople, brewers and chefs at Skypark.
The family friendly event on Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 12, is put on by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Scotts Valley Arts Commission, and will feature the work of more than 100 artists, along with samples from local wineries, old and new.
The following are a few of the folks who will show up for the celebration.
Cory Marting, Surf’s Up! Designs
Scotts Valley-based general contractor Cory Marting has a unique hobby — making colorful and decorative shelves out of used surfboards.
“They’re functional art,” said Marting, who scours Craigslist in search of old and unwanted short boards. “Some are not (in the best shape), but they’re still strong enough to be shelves.”
Marting cleans the boards, cuts them into halves — lengthwise or laterally — and applies his designs and graphics onto the fiberglass before mounting them on special brackets.
He said the inspiration came to him while he saw several old boards for sale at a flea market with his son.
“I thought, ‘It sure would be interesting to do something with these,’” he said.
His works are one-of-a-kind, Marting said, adding that when he began creating the shelves, he was surprised that no one else was.
“I’ve never seen anyone else (making them),” he said.
37th Parallel Wines
The new winery with a name that’s a nod toSanta Cruz’s general latitude is ready to uncork at this year’s festival, according to chief financial officer Les Wright.
“This is really is sort of a coming-out opportunity for our winery,” he said.
Founded by Wright and Michael Curtis, the winery uses a cellar that was built more than 70 years ago by an Italian immigrant named Giaccomo Thiella under a house onGranite Creek Road.
In an effort to carry on Thiella’s tradition, Wright and Curtis made their first vintage after receiving government bonding in 2009.
Now, the pair offers varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, dolcetto, syrah and merlot, but focuses particularly on pinot noir and two types of chardonnay, which they will be pouring at the festival.
Sharon Medler
Award-winning artist Sharon Medler has been a staple at festivals throughout the Bay Area for nearly two decades, and was awarded first prize for her acrylic paintings at the 2009 Scotts Valley Art and Wine Festival.
Much of her inspiration comes from her surroundings in theSanta CruzMountains— such as scenes ofCapitolaVillage, roosters from the Santa Cruz County Fair, and even still-lifes that includeProvencefabrics from a local specialty store.
“I love doing peaceful scenes,” said Medler, who says her work is strongly influenced by those of Vincent Van Gogh.
Medler’s current series prominently features roosters, she said. So far, she has painted 16 roosters, and hopes to have number 17 finished before the festival begins.
Each painting, she said, can be displayed separately, but is designed to be part of a pair.
Many of her original works, as well as Giclee reproductions, will be on display at this year’s festival.
“I love the show,” Medler said. “It’s a great local event.”
Odonata Winery
Based on the west side of Santa Cruz, Odonata Winery owner Denis Hoey has been making wines there since 2005, specializing in organic, local and sustainably grown grapes.
Operating out of the west side since 2008, Hoey recently opened a tasting room near the Safeway onMission Street.
The winery boasts three types of wine: a syrah, a crisp white named River Skimmer and a petite sirah.
“The 2009 Petite sirah is what we founded the winery on,” said Hoey, adding that it would be available for sampling at the festival.
At a glance
What: 13th annual Scotts Valley Art and Wine Festival
Where: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 112,
Cost: Free admission
Info: www.scottsvalleychamber.com
