CRYSTAL CONTRERAS
PrintMaking Station
A photographer and printmaker, Crystal was born in Watsonville and is a self-taught, non-binary artist whose pronouns are she/they, and is part of the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Cruz County.
In their first solo art event, they worked to spark joy through community connection and generate excitement around the craft of live printmaking. One of their biggest influences is the lively artist community and vibrant nature in Santa Cruz, their current work stems from a newfound appreciation of local life formed during the pandemic.
“I love to photograph emotions and moments in time. I bought my first film camera the summer before college in 2016. I started using film photography in college as a way to explore, film took me to protests, memorials, and the mountains of Santa Cruz,” says Crystal. “Printmaking has allowed me to dig into the creative process of starting a concept from scratch and ending with a piece I love. I love learning more about the art and sharing it with my family and community.”
This series of events engage the public in the craft of printmaking, with a free and family-friendly event for all ages and abilities. Crystal provided hand-cut lino printing blocks with designs inspired by Santa Cruz, as well as paper, paint, totes, and bandanas.
