The Scotts Valley Regional Artisans Association store made the decision to shut its doors after serving the community for five years in King’s Village Shopping Center.
The Regional Artisans Association is a local nonprofit organization that collaborated with more than 120 local artists in order to provide exhibits and sale venues for them, aiding them in their artistic practice.
Dawn Teall, the owner of the Scotts Valley RAA, said the closing is sad but economic strain and insufficient revenue make it necessary.
“We have been here for about five years; we started out as a small holiday boutique and grew from there,” Teall said.
RAA will maintain their Capitola Mall location and provide several attractions for local artists who are looking to obtain some publicity. They will continue to have their nonprofit galleries available to artists and continue to be a part of a Third Friday event at the Capitola Mall. The Third Friday will be a little different than most because the Capitola Mall hosts an indoor walking tour for those who are interested in the local artists.
Teall explained that this event is a great opportunity for aspiring artists.
“Through this event we get to set artists up in the empty stores, and there are about 90 artists that participate in this event. We have one coming up at the mall on Friday (May) 15,” said Teall.
This nonprofit also finds time to work alongside the community with their “Mural-in-a-Day” program. This program is the RAA’s way to create and display the artistic talents of the county.
They hope to continue these same practices in Monterey at the American Tin Cannery. They will be trying to bring this practice down to the Monterey area and work will the local artists down there, in the same style as in the Capitola Mall.
If anyone has any questions in regards to the RAA’s new location or opportunities available, please contact Dawn Teall or call their Capitola location at 515-7390.
Scotts Valley Artisans closes on May 31. Until then, the store will be open Tuesday though Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
