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By CALEB WISEBLOOD
What better way to commemorate the final Throwback Thursday of 2020 than a retrospective to sum up the year, particularly the local art scene in this article’s case. Looking back on the last 365 days, the only word to describe the innovations local artists and arts organizations have implemented—to combat the unprecedented limitations brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic—is extraordinary. Listed below is just a brief handful of these instances and other memorable arts moments from throughout the year.
—Caleb Wiseblood
STRONG START
In January, Allan Hancock College held its Fine Arts Student Art Show, which ran through mid-March on the school’s Santa Maria campus, inside the Ann Foxworthy Gallery. This annual group show marked both the first and last in-person exhibit of the year at the gallery, which premiered its first virtual exhibit later in October. 2020’s Student Art Show featured artworks of various media—painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, animation, graphic design, and other disciplines—from more than 50 students, including steampunk artist Victoria Alvarez, who used the exhibit to showcase some of her digital paintings.