“Illustrating Nature” | June 1-July 8

Annual spring showing of best works of artists from the UC Science Illustration program. More than 60 works are displayed that are done in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil, graphite, scratch-board and digital media mediums.

Museum of Natural History
831- 420-6113, www.santacruzmuseums.org

Art at the Beach | June 1 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

A select group of area artists display works at the Esplanade’s outdoor gallery. Some will be demonstrating their craft with works in progress. This is a free event.

Esplanade Park, Capitola
www.ci.capitola.ca.us

Hallway Gallery - Kali Kata M. Bula, Mixed Media | June 1-30 (Mon-Sat-9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.)

Louden Nelson Comm. Center
301 Center Street, Santa Cruz
831-420-6177, www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us

First Friday Free Admission at MAH | June 1 (11 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

The museum is open Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Its store, located in the street front octagon building, is open Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun, noon-5 p.m.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Free First Friday Lunch Tour at MAH | June 1 (noon)

Sherry Karver leads an in-depth discussion about current Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk series' exhibition.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Festival at the Cement Ship | June 2 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Celebrate the unique history of the WW1 Concrete Ship Palo Alto, the natural wonders of Seacliff's fossil beds, and the many animals that call the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary their home. Enjoy music, fun and food. Experience the park's history through arts, crafts, games and stories. Make a kite to fly on the beach. Visit educational booths to learn about our animal friends.

Seacliff State Beach
Hwy 1 @ State Park Dr., Aptos
831-685-6444, www.santacruzstateparks.org

"Splat" Art Tour | June 2-3 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit the working studios of 28 renowned & emerging painters. Maps found online at www.splatarttour.com

Various Studios
831-239-4084, www.splatarttour.com

Family Art Saturday at MAH | June 2 (1-3 p.m.)

Special hands-on art activities for families on the first Saturday of each month. The museum is open Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Its store, located in the street front octagon building, is open Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun, noon-5 p.m.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Santa Cruz Plein Air Affair Festival | June 8-15

Festival event schedule includes Artists creating works at set Santa Cruz County locations. Visit www.santacruzmah.org for location and artist details.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

MAH - Lecture: Visions of Chinatown: Beyond Orientalism | June 10

Geoffrey Dunn will explore the ways in which photographers have constructed interpretations of North American Chinatowns and Chinese immigrants in both the United States and Canada. Dunn will present images taken by the trio of photographers and examine the social, cultural and political implications of their imagery. Location: MAH Auditorium, 831-429-1964 x 10

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org