scicahistory

....would become the ? Gallery.

SCICA Directors, Kirby Scudder & Chip met with Emily and Redevelopment Staff in September of 2003 to explore possible ways to change temporary downtown spaces into viable cultural hubs. The ? Gallery quickly became a center for creative activity morphing into combination Gallery, Performance and meeting space for the local Art Scene. In February of 2004 the ? Gallery closed the 1319 location to make room for a long term tenant.

In 2004 the ? Gallery moved from one location to another in downtown Santa Cruz, securing spaces that were inexpensive or available at no cost with the purpose of setting up temporary Galleries. With locations on Church Street, Pearl Alley, Cathcart Street and Pacific Avenue, in 2004 the ? Gallery became a metaphor for both the opportunies as well as the challenges facing the local art community.

January of 2004, Anita Elliot a local collector and art enthusiast suggested that the founding and development of an Institute of Contemporary Arts for Santa Cruz would prove to be a sustainable solution for a local art community looking for a home.

Since then the SCICA was formed serving Santa Cruz in the of development and promotion of the contemporary arts