In early June, our adventurous Arts Commission asked people to ‘give us their two cents’ regarding what kind of public art they want to see more of in Santa Cruz. Using pennies that we provided, we asked each person vote for the top two kinds of art they would like to see more of in Santa Cruz. Input was solicited during First Friday and at the first annual Ebb and Flow Festival.

Presented at the table were four jars marked with the categories and a corresponding photo collage with examples of types of art. Voters could put both pennies in one jar, split them up or put them in the “other ideas” jar. Visitors could also submit ideas on slips of paper to the “other ideas” jars.

Many visitors expressed that it was difficult to pick only two because that they thought ALL types of art were great. Many people expressed enthusiasm for public art and we didn’t hear a single negative comment about public art! And for the results....TA DA - Land/Landscape Art was the winner, followed closely by Beach/Ocean themed art. A full recap is listed below:

RESULTS:

• Land Art/Landscape Art: 306 pennies
• Beach/Ocean-themed Art: 235 pennies
• Heritage & Culture: 141 pennies
• Digital/New Media: 132 pennies
• Other ideas: 33 pennies plus 41 slips of paper.

Total number or pennies: 847 (so over 400 people voted.)

OTHER IDEAS SUBMITTED

• Landscape/earth art – 9 (e.g. natural elements and forms)
• Dance/performance art – 4
• Youth art – 4
• Community built projects – 3
• Mosaics -3
• Sandcastles/sand art – 2
• All types of art – 2
• Classic/figurative art – 2
• Single other ideas: Skateboard/surfer art; Classic guitar performance; dot art; contests for artists; public film/movies; magical arts; ice art; art along river; San Francisco doorways project; imaginative art.