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Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

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1305 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 United States Get Directions
8314206115
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Event Series Micro May

Naturalist Night: The Marvels of Microfossils

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What might look like sand to the untrained eye may be the missing clue in a paleontological puzzle. Microfossils are preserved remains, traces, or imprints of past life, including bones, shells, footprints, and even preserved soft tissues. Despite their diminutive size, they have massive implications when trying to understand the past. Learn from a paleontologist...

Local Artist Market & Open House

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Join over 40 local Santa Cruz artists as they showcase their craftsmanship! We will be featuring a wide array of goods, ranging from paintings and photography to jewelry, decor, and embroidery. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to support our community’s artisans, celebrate local talent, and grab a gift just in time for Mother’s...

Nudibranch Painting Party!

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

As part of this Art of Nature exhibit special, join an esteemed artist as you learn the science and art behind the most adorable sea slugs around! Featuring beautiful scientific illustration displays from the exhibit, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and marine biologists alike. Taught by a professional illustrator and exhibitor, this workshop will...

A butterfly drawn with a stippling technique
Event Series Micro May

Scientific Illustration & Observation in Stippling

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. Celebrate Micro May through stipple art, which uses small dots to create the impression of texture, shading, or solidity. Learn this unique art style...

Featured Featured Event Series Micro May

Micro May First Friday

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 indoor festivities 5 to 8 p.m. Big fun can come in small packages! Micro...

green sea glass

Earth Day Special: Sea Glass Art

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Go green this Earth Day by creating a work of art from upcycled beach glass! As part of this special seasonal offering, discover the beauty of beachcombing as you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made from shoreline treasures. Using local and sustainably-sourced resources, participants will learn the basics of environmental sculpture and design with step-by-step instruction....

Birds in Gouache

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

As part of this Art of Nature special, learn from one of the featured exhibitors on how to capture the intricate beauty of birds. Spotlighting local Santa Cruz species as models, participants will learn how to paint the nuanced features of these stunning seasonal subjects. In addition to learning the painting techniques, participants will also...

A scrub jay on top of a dried plant

Earth Day Special: Birding Photography

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Learn to appreciate the diverse bird populations of Santa Cruz through a camera lens. Level-up your birding by applying photography tips, tricks, and techniques to capture these animals in action. Guided by an expert nature photographer, this open-air workshop will lead you on a nature walk to find inspiration from native fauna for your photography....

exhibit display of various minerals

Earth Day Rockin’ Pop Up!

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Looking for a GNEISS way to spend your weekend? Well, you won't want to take this special event for GRANITE! Celebrate Earth Day with a rockin' afternoon at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum's galleries. ...

Pinned butterfly specimens in a drawer

Watercolor Entomology: Butterflies

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

As part of this Springtime special, get up close and personal with the art of butterflies! Featuring beautiful insect displays, from the rarely seen insect taxidermy collection, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and entomologists alike. Taught by a professional entomological illustrator, this workshop will begin with a scientific presentation on insects before transitioning...

Scientific Illustration & Observation in Watercolors

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. Learn the basics of watercolor and gouache with step-by-step instruction by a master scientific illustrator. After a nature walk to gain knowledge of local...

3 people talking to an artist at her outdoor booth

First Friday: The Art of Nature

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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...