The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex has long been considered a unique place where artists find inspiration and subject. Ansel Adams and Edward Weston both photographed the dunes. The Dunites spent countless hours painting, writing about, and contemplating the beauty and serenity that can be found here.  The dunes still inspire artists of all types practicing in widely varying techniques and formats.

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center launched the Gallery at the Dunes Center in the spring 2010.  This space was inaugurated with a gallery opening featuring local photographers Cathy Gregg and Jules Reuter, and local illustrator Carol Daniels.  The space is designed to feature local art that is inspired by the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes and nature.

The Dunes Center seeks to promote art inspired by the dunes and nature and produced by local artists by providing a venue for their work, events to promote their exhibits, and opportunities for our community to connect with and meet artists. 

Exhibits will change approximately quarterly.  Interested artists should contact the Dunes Center at 805-343-2455 or info@dunescenter.org.  Visit us online at www.dunescenter.org.

Thank you for interest in the Gallery at the Dunes Center.

The Gallery at the Dunes Center changes exhibits quarterly.  Exhibits are determined by the Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors.  Submissions are requested electronically and should include a description of the proposed structure of the exhibit, specific dimensions, specifics about the medium, and sample images of each piece that are in the proposed exhibit.

The Gallery at the Dunes Center seeks to provide a venue for local artists to exhibit their work that has been or is influenced by the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex and the natural world.

Artists are chosen based on the merits of their proposed exhibit and work as evaluated by the Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors.

The characteristics that the Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors evaluates are:

Artwork is original.

Relationship to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes and the natural world.

The proposed exhibit can be accommodated by the gallery space available.

Is the artwork unique in any way?

Technique.

Composition.

These criteria are not exclusive nor are they exhaustive.  Artwork will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the process will be competitive.  Artists can propose an exhibit that will take up one, two, or all three available walls.  That being said, artwork taking up one or two walls will generally have a better chance than proposed exhibits requiring all three walls.  We do, however, encourage artists to propose what they think will best demonstrate their artwork in the Gallery at the Dunes Center.

Tours can be arranged by contacting the Dunes Center.  We encourage you to contact us at the number below to discuss your proposal.

The timeline for 2010-2011 submissions is:

October, November, and December, 2010
Proposal must be submitted no later than August 1st, 2010.  The Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors will meet and make an announcement of the Fourth Quarter Artist by or before August 15th, 2010.

January, February, and March, 2011
Proposal must be submitted no later than November 1st, 2010.  The Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors will meet and make an announcement of the Fourth Quarter Artist by or before November 15th, 2010.

April, May, and June, 2011
Proposal must be submitted no later than February 1st, 2010.  The Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors will meet and make an announcement of the Fourth Quarter Artist by or before February 15th, 2010.

July, August, and September, 2011
Proposal must be submitted no later than May 1st, 2010.  The Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors will meet and make an announcement of the Fourth Quarter Artist by or before May 15th, 2010.

October, November, and September, 2011
Proposal must be submitted no later than August 1st, 2010.  The Art Subcommittee of the Board of Directors will meet and make an announcement of the Fourth Quarter Artist by or before August 15th, 2010.

These dates are a tentative timeline designed to guide the process, provide an opportunity for competition and also allow time for the artists and the Dunes Center to prepare and promote the opening, which, in general, will occur on the first Friday following the installation of the artwork. 

If an artist is chosen, they will be contacted and arrangements will be made for an installation date.

For general information contact the Dunes Center at 805-343-2455 or online at www.dunescenter.org/art/thegallery.html.