Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History! Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. FREE admission to the Museum all day 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with special festivities from 5 – 8 p.m.
Just like mixing a palette, we are blending art with science at April’s First Friday. To celebrate the 36th year of the Museum’s Art of Nature scientific illustration exhibition, we are inviting you to a special after-hours event to meet the local artists who are expressing the distinctiveness of Santa Cruz’s wildlife on canvas. In this year’s exhibit, you will be moved by masterpieces from 46 artists, in a wide array of artistic media, as well as having the opportunity to connect with the artists’ other works at their gardenside booths.
In addition to the exhibit, you will engage with California State University Monterey Bay’s Science Illustration Program, from where many of the featured artists graduated, explore items from the artists in the Museum’s Gift Shop, learn about this month’s art workshops and lectures, enjoy an open bar, food trucks, and much more. You won’t want to BRUSH off this First Friday!
📆 Friday, April 4th, 2025
⏱️ 5 – 8 p.m.
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Exhibit Artists & Community Partners
- California State University Monterey Bay’s Science Illustration Program
- El Pajaro Valley Incubator Kitchen
- Alyssa Colasanti
- Andrea Dingeldein
- Anela Mendoza
- Anna Pedersen
- Arin Vasquez
- Avalon Conklin
- Brett Bell
- Brittany Costanzo
- Brynna Reilly
- Cady DeLay Calene
- Luczo Fletcher
- Chloe Rickards
- Claudia Stevens
- Elizabeth Romanini
- Erin E. Hunter
- Erin Ellis
- Evelyn Lam
- Gianna Nourok
- Hannah Caisse
- Kaelin O’Hare
- Karina Neeley
- Katie McCullough
- Khenya Clark
- Kiwi (Catherine) Cyr
- Kylene Gilmore
- Lauren Ringelman
- Maia Perry
- Mari Stauffer-Howard
- Maria Amorette
- Klos Maria
- Cecilia Freeman
- Mason Schratter
- Megan Gnekow
- Michelle Waters
- Molly Brown
- Natalie Chan
- Nicholas Ta
- Nina Lutz
- Rachel Diaz-Bastin
- Reid Psaltis
- Sami Chang
- Sarah Brothers Bot
- Suzanne Clark
- Tina Curiel
- Tina Fuller Somers
- Torie Robinson
- Vance Lawry
Accessibility
🔵 Drop by anytime 5-8 p.m. to join the festivities!
🟠 Admission to the Museum is free all day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🔵 Follow the latest guidelines for health and safety.
🟠 Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the Museum.
🔵 Booths and activities will be both indoors and outdoors.
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