On the corner of Broad and Monterey Streets sits the hub for art appreciation downtown — but it doesn’t require money, art intellect or skill of its visitors. Situated creek-side, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) leaves its doors open to anyone curious about its space and the art it houses.
SLOMA Exhibition and Development Director Ruta Saliklis said the goal of the museum is to open up the art world to everyone, without limitations.
“Everybody can look at art and bring something to it just based on their life experience of where they came from,” Saliklis said.
History
In the 1950s the building housed an art association which hosted San Luis Obispo residents who wanted to showcase their work. Saliklis later decided the association was not fulfilling their goal of communal art appreciation, so in 2010, the building transformed into what is now SLOMA.
Goal
Although the main goal of SLOMA is to foster art appreciation in San Luis Obispo, Gallery Sales Manager and Registrar Wendy Walter said she hopes to see the art scene grow and challenge its viewers.
Currently, SLOMA is limited to three rooms to display its full variety of art and a new monthly exhibit offers more exposure. Community Engagement Director Erica Ellis said she is proud of everything the museum offers.
“For a museum this size, it’s pretty cool that we have so many different things that people can enjoy,” she said. “Any visual art you’re interested in, we collect it.”
Events
The museum puts on movie nights the first Friday of every month as well as lectures, art talks, trips, classes and youth education.
“There are always events going on,” Ellis said. “It’s hard to name them all.”
Every class, every Art After Dark and every trip provides more exposure to art in the city.
Memberships
Students can purchase memberships from the museum for $20 with a student ID. The membership includes discounts on movie nights, trips and classes that are held at SLOMA.
Currently, SLOMA is featuring a photography exhibit named “Reflections,” featuring different interpretations of the word itself from photographers all over California. The museum is open every day except for Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is free to the public.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated SLOMA is closed on Thursdays.