Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/852325
10 WHARF TO WHARF SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2017 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL b y T A R A F A T E M I W A L K E R aN aBStraCt JUMP for thIS YEarS wharf PoStEr T he official poster for the 45th Anniversary of Wharf to Wharf is based on an oil painting by local artist sarah bianco. york Framing Gallery owner Robin Lerios partnered with bianco to create the vibrant piece of abstract art, which captures both the spirit of the annual race and the santa Cruz community. bianco remembers the chance meeting with Lerios last fall that led to the wonderful collaborative opportunity and the eventual work of art. "Robin walked into my studio during Open studios," says bianco. "After seeing my work, she thought the style of my paintings would be a good fit for this year's Wharf to Wharf poster." Lerios gave her the parameters to create an original piece. "It needed to be a certain size, include some identifiable wharf and lighthouse images, and a pair of tennis shoes that would either be in the artwork, or in the text," bianco says. "she gave me freedom to come up with a design, in my style." since 2013, Lerios has been tasked with creating the official poster with an artist. Lerios bought the gallery in 2012 from her old boss, gallery founder Jim york. He is the one who decided—in 1986—that Wharf to Wharf needed a commemorative poster, and that york Framing Gallery was the perfect outlet. Lerios eagerly embraces the process each year. "I am always challenged to find a new and different way to represent the race," says Lerios. "I try to switch it up, considering the following: horizontal or vertical in nature, style of art, focus of subject matter, etc. sarah's style is nothing we had seen before." In fact, before she walked into bianco's studio, she had a completely different concept and artist in mind. but that quickly changed. "When I saw the joyous, childlike, abstract art she has made in her 'Jump' series, I just wanted to see what we could create together for the Wharf to Wharf poster," says Lerios, who also purchased two giclee prints that day (one for the gallery and one for herself). bianco moved to santa Cruz in 1998 to get her bFA in Drawing & painting from uC santa Cruz. "I have been interested in drawing, painting, and creating things with my hands since I was a kid," she says. This evolved throughout her life, and she feels fortunate she's been able to make it her career as well as an avenue of expression. she lives and works at the Tannery Arts Center; her studio is Apricity Gallery. being around so many open-minded people, artists, and exposure to multi-cultural events has been a very inspirational part of living in santa Cruz, says bianco. "I have felt very supported as an artist here." CoNtINUES oN 11 2017 wharf to wharf PoStEr art – arTisT, sarah bianco