2025 Capitola Art & Wine Poster Artist-Cristina Sayers hales from Santa Cruz, California. Self described analog and satirical collage artist was born and raised among the waves. She is a true child of the 1970’s hippie aesthetic and rich counterculture heritage. Growing up in Santa Cruz during what is known historically as the Salad Days of High Stoke Surf Culture. Her local environment (Santa Cruz) is a nurturing haven for various cannabis-loving misfits and artist creatives. Cristina’s hometown has allowed her an artists way of life; to flourish and maintain her reputation of colorful uniqueness. She started a family at a young age and was forced to place her art career into dormancy. Creativity was sustained through experimentation and developing her artistic voice. She is encouraged and supported by her immediate family to pursue her Collage Artwork. A Mother of 4 children ages 22-41, Grandmother of 3, avid animal lover, dog walker, sand & sea admirer, and supporter/former volunteer at Santa Cruz Animal Shelter. Her days are filled with family, walks with her service dog Lenny, Uno, giggles, angst, sarcasm, & of course making art. Santa Cruz holds nostalgic memories, love, and pride of citizenship from this locally sourced artist for her hometown.
About
I most often express myself through the technique of analog collage, a method that demands patience and discourages haste. It's a form of meditation for me, facilitating an internal dialogue. The process of creating collages is a continuous inquiry of
'what's next?'. My inspiration typically stems from the color and shape of the materials I work with. I tend to create centrally situated abstract objects on white substrates (A4 and A3 are my favorite). I like the cleanness of that form. Recently I have started to experiment with colorful substrates which immediately give the work specific character.
I would say that the most accurate description for me is embracing impermanence. Collaging helps me to accept that everything changes and flows. And when going through the process of collage creation I also learn that the change can bring hope and be invigorating. That I don't have to stick to the familiar patterns or old habits. That I can try to do something in a completely different way. And start something new literally from the scraps.
For myself, Art can be a tool to rewrite personal and collective narratives.
RESUME
CRISTINA SAYERS
United States
Based In:
Santa Cruz, California
Exhibition Gallery/Online History:
Abstract Invitation Blitzer Gallery 2016
Catamaran Literary Reader Exhibit @
Radius Gallery Santa Cruz &
R. Blitzer Gallery 2013, 2016, 2022
Art in the time of Corona - Vol 1 Dab Art; Online
Museum of Art and History Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz Exhibition 2017
Self Portrait ;2018
In these uncertain times Exhibit; 2021
450 piece Visual Arts Exhibit 2021
Visual Arts Network Santa Cruz Group Exhibit
Radius Gallery
This Now. Curated by the Sea Gallery 2022
Abstract Artist Award winner @ Palo Alto Art League Abstract Exhibit 2013
All Mixed Up -Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center 2022
Take Aways to Go PVAC 2014, 2023, & 2024
Cabrillo College 12x12 Exhbit 2016-2023
Sergio Gomez Momentum Exhibit
Las Luguna Gallery 2014
Pencas De Corazón Exhbit PVAC 2021
Selma de Grado PVAC
PVAC Members Exhibit 2022, 2023, & 2024
PVAC Lowrider Exhibition 2024
Mi Casa Tu Casa 2014-2023
Pajaro Valley Arts Gallery Exhibiting Artist 2014-2025
Featured Artist Santa Cruz County Building in 2011
& 1st floor, May 22-July 16, 2022
Featured Artist Santa Cruz County Building Encore exhbit; 10/18-12/2022
Not Real Art’s Surrealist Ball 2024
https://notrealart.com/surrealist-ball-curators-statement/
Point Pleasant Publishing
https://www.pointpleasantpublishing.net/single-post/cristina-sayers
Pop in Pop Out Radius Gallery - 2021
Press / Publications:
Catamaran Literary Reader Magazine;
Featured Artist 2013, 2016 & 2022
https://catamaranliteraryreader.com/new-contributors
Press
https://www.dabart.me/2020-exhibited
Lookout Santa Cruz Recommended top 10 Artist to visit during
Open Studios Tour 2022
https://lookout.co/santacruz/wallace-baine/story/2022-09-25/open-studios-santa-cruz-county-art
Wallace Bain Best Holiday Artist List 2021
Santa Clara Review 2022 & 2024
Waxing and Waiting -The Blackout Edition
12/13/22
https://pajaronian.com/exhibit-displays-pandemic-era-artwork-stories-and-more/
Wallace Bain article:
Santa Clara Review
https://santaclarareview.com/christina-sayers
April Gloaming Waxing & Wanning Blackout Edition Winner 2022
The contributors for The Blackout Edition Prose: Winner Rim Chon, Runner-up Emil Rem, Marian Fredal, Leslie Grover, and Patrice Washington; Poetry: Winner Shamon Williams, Runner-up Glenn Marchand, Biman Roy, and Sabrina Spence; Art: Winner Christina Sayers.
Art Tours and Local Art Communities:
Santa Cruz Open Studios Artist since 2013-2026
Visual Arts Network Artist 2020 - 2022
First Friday Artist since 2012
Capitola Art and Wine Artist 2016-2026
Bargetto Art and Wine Artist 2022-2024
Santa Cruz Makers Market Vendor 2021- current
Member Pajaro Valley Art Council
2025 Capitola Art and Wine Poster Artist
https://capitolavillage.com/event/44nd-annual-capitola-art-and-wine-festival/
Featured Artist @
Rootstock Collective 861 41st. Ave Santa Cruz, Ca 95062
Franks Interiors 275 Center Ave. Aptos, Ca 95003
Oasis on Pacific 1395 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz Ca, 95060
Artist Statement
Cristina Sayers is a visually inspired intuitive Collage artist.
Cristina holds an authentic eye and distinct vision in her selected medium. Her collage art origins is from handmade, old-fashioned cut and paste collage. She makes this differentiation because so much collage work, on the internet, is composed digitally.
Influenced by surf culture, local historical images, primary colors, road signs, humor, racial equality, recycled materials, elements of nature, sea, and satire. All these common elements are used throughout her Collage artwork. Subjects and images are selected by a visceral attraction and are what Cristina finds appealing in a visual perspective.
The ingredients of these collages are found and carefully curated photographs taken in Santa Cruz, loose images torn from vintage magazines, or collected from local publications. Her translation of these altered sourced images, is her recipe of a visual artistic expression. Within her work you will discover a pinch of historical local landmarks, a tablespoon of humor, and a cup of satire.