The Greater Bay Area Open (GBAO) is a fine art only exhibition presented by the Los Gatos Art Association (LGAA), designed to promote fine art and artists from the greater Bay Area. Starting in 2015 and held biannually, the GBAO is now in its fourth showing and has moved to even numbered years. This exhibit brings an exciting and dynamic association between the LGAA and NUMU, New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU), a valuable partner and sponsor in this collaboration.
Spanning twelve Bay Area counties, from Sonoma to Monterey, the juried event draws artists to compete for awards and recognition, but also brings exposure to respected jurors, galleries, and art collectors from the region. The GBAO embraces artistic excellence, accepting both two dimensional and three dimensional fine art into this premier venue.
For 2022, this competition has expanded its framework to attract more artists, by securing the participation of five additional sponsors. Their generosity provides even more awards and cash prizes, and enhances GBAO's position as an important competition for artists and collectors alike.
Our kind sponsors in 2022 are: The Los Gatos Art Association, COMPASS Inc., Ginger T. McDonald, The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, Los Gatos Music & Arts, the Law Office of Timothy A. Lundell, Esq., Harwood Studio, and NUMU, New Museum Los Gatos. The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce also provided the inspiration for the “Listen, Learn, Change, Grow” theme, and graciously donated a banner, which had previously hung in downtown Los Gatos during a recent campaign for diversity. The theme lent itself perfectly to address these uncertain times.
The Los Gatos Art Association would like to thank our sponsors, our jurors, our volunteers, our members, and especially all the artists who submitted their art for consideration in the 2022 GBAO. We’re impressed and proud of the creative work on display, and hope that you, the viewers, will enjoy the exhibit.
Sincerely,
Elke Groves and Jeff Owen
Co-Chairs 2022 GBAO
Our 2022 GBAO Jurors
Preston Metcalf
As a museum Curator, and as Executive Director of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA, Preston Metcalf has worked with many of the most renowned artists in the country, showcasing their works in exhibitions and publications. In addition to his curatorial role, he helped create innovative art and art history education programs for public schools and children’s hospitals, providing free programming and classes for thousands of kids, teens, and adults. He has lectured internationally on art and art history and published more than sixty essays, articles, and books on artists and their work. He is a regular lecturer of Art History at colleges and universities throughout the region.
Julie Ericsson
As an Art Curator at NUMU, New Museum Los Gatos with over ten years of experience in the arts, Julie organizes exhibition concepts, liaises with artists, and writes didactic content for each show. In 2020, she reprised her seat on the NUMU exhibitions team, previously having served as the Exhibition and Graphic Designer from 2014 to 2017. She holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from George Washington University, and a B.A. in Art History and Studio Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Julie has served at institutions such as Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, de Young Museum, Hillyer International Arts and Artists, National Museum of American History, and National Air and Space Museum.
Both Preston and Julie have generously chosen to donate their honorariums to the LGAA and NUMU respectively, and we thank them for their kind gesture and unwavering support of the arts.
Congratulations to all of the artists accepted into the 2022 GBAO, and a sincere thank you to our 2022 GBAO Sponsors.
