02/02/2026
THIS JUST IN!
“A Walk Through the Cypress” February 2026
by Elizabeth Monks Hack
Cypress Gallery
NO LIMIT TO THE CREATIVE MIND
The Lompoc Valley Art Association presents its first community-wide exhibition of the year, a marvelous show called “The Art of Renewal,” on view at the Cypress Gallery through February. Showcasing art made from recycled materials, it is indeed full of marvels, with transformations wonderful to behold. Using the most humble of materials – trash – our artists have made works of art that delight and challenge the viewer into a new ways of seeing and thinking. Art proves once again that there is no limit to the creative mind.
Of course, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Artists do have a habit of picking up an interesting, say, lump of metal, off the street, eyeing it for creative potential. They might keep it in the studio for, say years, until the right idea comes along. You will find plenty of this type of creative transformation in the gallery. Our curators asked that the art be made from at least 70% recycled, reused, or repurposed materials. A re-imagining of the commonplace is the show’s highlight.
So many of the works in “The Art of Renewal” celebrate humor and joy. Chris Jeszeck’s “Roll Call” demonstrates once again the artist’s irrepressible wit. A row of what appears to be collapsed Bronze Age masks in various metals are mounted in a frame. Only the title suggests what they are really made of!
Creatures abound throughout the gallery. King of them all may be Aaron Crocker’s “Marred n’ Leering Face,” a huge wall piece that is funny, or terrifying! You choose. It is constructed of a slew of found objects, including a wig, a styrofoam cooler lid, and boxing gloves.
Tom Chrones’ “Oakly” is a sweet little robot made of items that could be found on a garage work bench or gizmo box, including a camera lens, piece of a banister, and bolts. “Oakly” would be a good friend for Linda Gooch’s “The Little Blue Man,” who as the name implies, is cobalt and turquoise, with a body made of water pump housing.
It is almost astounding to see the corrugated cardboard of a standard box transformed into lovely wall flowers. Jennifer Racusin has created three, large hand-painted wall mounts, calling them “Fairy Portals.” “Ethernet and Limoncelo” by Jean Rutherford is another surprising floral, of glass, wire and beads.
In our main gallery, more “traditional” art is on display, and as the song says, it never goes out of style. Watercolors, glass, oils and acrylic are used to make works of formal beauty and significance that are in it for the long haul. Both types of art, traditional and contemporary, complement one another and are a testament to our time; our freedom of expression and our boundless creativity. Creativity is how problems are truly solved. Visit the gallery this month to inspire yours.
The Cypress Gallery offers a variety of visual experiences, cards and gifts, art education and practice. The month of March will feature our community-wide “Flight of Imagination” show, with wood butterfly blanks for you to transform as you wish. Discover what we have in store for you on our website.
The Lompoc Valley Art Association is a 501c(3) non-profit organization, committed to expanding and supporting access and exposure to the arts in the Lompoc and Santa Ynez Valley. For more information visit lompocart.org. Follow us on Instagram and facebook.com/CypressGallery. The Cypress Gallery is located at 119 East Cypress Avenue, Lompoc. Hours 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday – Sunday. Phone (805) 737-1129.
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CAPTIONS
1. Linda Gooch “The Little Blue Man” Water pump housing, filter, rusted scissors, and more
2. Jennifer Racusin “Fairy Portals” Cardboard, acrylic paint
3. Aaron Crocker “Marred ‘n’ Leering Face” Discarded styrofoam cooler lid, plastic prize ball, baby-doll head, old boxing gloves, wig
4. Tom Chrones “Oakly” Oak banister, camera lens, bolts
5. Chris Jeszeck “Roll Call” Cardboard tubes
6. Jean Rutherford “Ethernet and Limoncelo” Mixed media
