Art Gallery + Studios
Hours:
Wed +Thurs 2-6pm, Friday 4-8pm
Sat + Sun: 1-5pm
The Vision Sanctuary is a queer-owned+co-operated arts-education organization that has been elevating underrepresented voices & creations in Santa Cruz since 2022.
The Vision Sanctuary is a hub for the global visionary art movement. We serve emerging artists & our diverse community as a safe, inclusive, accessible space for education & self transformation through artistic development & community engagement.
Our gallery and community space offers workshops, creative resources, and opportunities for networking and professional development.
Our programs are offered at sliding-scale/affordable pricing, our space is ADA accessible, we celebrate creators of all abilities & skill levels, including those who are Queer, Neurodivergent, BIPOC, Young, Old, and/or otherwise marginalized.
We acknowledge that we are situated within Awaswas-Speaking Uypi Ohlone territory, now stewarded by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Such acknowledgement should include active solidarity. We encourage engagement with the Amah Mutsun in all their endeavors to protect and tend this territory as they have done expertly from time immemorial. Please see https://amlt.org/ for ways to support them.
From Left: Marlena Wetzel of Rabbit Hole Threads, Josslyn Congress of Sunworship Designs, and Victoria Miessler of Studio Viki, From our 2025 Fashion show “I Woke Up Like This”
Upcoming Events:
Next Long Pose Figure Drawing: October 4
Now every FIRST Sunday!! 5-7pm
September 6
with host Amber Katzira
a body positive drawing class with queer and trans models, in a cozy environment with tea!
Short poses will be offered as a warm up to our long pose.
Instruction provided.
$20, if you’d like to pay at the door, please rsvp by emailing art@thevisionsanctuary.com
Weekly Art Lab!
Tuesday nights, 6-9pm
Learn to paint and create a beautiful composition in a range of mediums. Option to paint with acrylics, oils, gouache, acrylic gouache and/ or watercolor pencils. Option to paint on a canvas or watercolor paper. These mediums may also be used together giving you the opportunity to explore more! You have the option to rent out the materials if you don't have any. The first class rentals are free, including a free canvas to start with if needed!
Wednesdays: 2-8pm
Please RSVP using the form on the checkout page. No same day drop ins.
Students are recommended to commit to 5 classes to finish a painting.
Option to paint whatever your heart desires, or go through a list of subjects to build overall skill. Option to learn how to draw, or transfer an image to get straight to painting.
Learn about colors, how to make your own colors, the formula to creating a good composition and everything you want to know about painting while having a good time.
About Victoria:
My name is Victoria Miessler and I have been painting since I was 9 years old when I decided to make it my career. I took painting classes in college in 2014 & 2015 and graduated with a bachelor's in fine arts in 2017. Right before graduating I got hired as a textile artist for a fashion company and learned a lot about how to make eye catching patterns and textile designs. After a year of working there I left to teach painting classes at an after school art program called Priscilla and Tiffany's in Miami Florida. There I discovered my strong passion for teaching. Today I live in Santa Cruz and have a studio space in downtown called the Vision Sanctuary where me and my team of artists host workshops, events, and classes. I also design my own clothes and sell them to different stores in Santa Cruz, at my gallery and on my website.
What's Happening!
SHOWS IN THE GALLERY
August - September 27: Artists with Disabilities, Chronic Illness & Neurodivergence
October: Open Studios Weekends October 10, 11, 17, 18
Open Studios weekend hours are 11am-5pm.
Gallery is open during normal operating hours the rest of October.
REGULARS:
Weekly Wednesday Painting Classes with Studio Viki: 2-8pm
Weekly Tuesday Art Lab with rotating local artists 6-9pm
Monthly Long-Pose Figure Drawing: First Sundays with Amber Katzirah (September 6)
AROUND US:
Wednesday Downtown Farmer’s Market: 12:30pm-5pm
Far West Fungi: 11am-6pm
The Bagelry: 7am-2pm
The Neighbor’s Pub: Th-Su 4pm-12am (visit to see a rotating featured artist, curated by us! This month: Jocelyn Auld
