WATSONVILLE

PVA debuts photography exhibit

Pajaro Valley Arts invites the public to the opening reception of “The Creatives Among Us: Celebrating 20+ Years of the Gail Rich Awards” at PVA’s Porter Building, 280 Main St., on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibition features the black-and-white photographs of longtime Santa Cruz Sentinel photographer Shmuel Thaler. The exhibit runs April 5 to May 31.

The Gail Rich Awards were founded in 1997 by Thaler and arts journalist Wallace Baine, to honor local artists from Santa Cruz County for their contributions to the arts community. Thaler and Baine will make a short presentation during the exhibit’s opening reception. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visit pvarts.org/events/the-creatives-among-us-2025-04-06 for more details.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Scholarships available for Watsonville students

The Rotary Club of Freedom invites all eligible high school seniors from Watsonville and Pajaro Valley high schools to apply for their Freedom Rotary Scholarships to help alleviate financial burdens. Three students who have enrolled in a local community college will receive a $2,500 scholarship. One student who has enrolled in a four-year university will receive a $10,000 Hal Hyde scholarship. Four dedicated senior students from the Pajaro Valley High School Interact Club will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must reside in Pajaro (Not required for the Interact Club Scholarship). The application deadline is May 16. For more information and to find applications, visit freedomrotary.org/recent-events. For questions, please email freedomrotaryinfo@gmail.com.

BEN LOMOND

Vendors needed for new summer farmers/makers market

The Ben Lomond Village Alliance is now accepting new vendor applications for the new Wee Kirk Market — an old-fashioned, fun-filled farmers and makers market debuting this summer on June 1. Held at the historic Wee Kirk Church at 9500 Central Ave., this community market will take place on the first Sunday of each month from June through October, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a special evening holiday market in December. Offered will be an array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, handmade crafts, prepared foods and food trucks, live music, family-friendly activities and unique creations of talented local makers. In addition to traditional vendor booths, tabling opportunities are available for community organizations to share resources.

Interested applicants can learn more and complete the 2025 Vendor Application online by visiting benlomondvillage.org/newvendors, where a mail-in form is also available. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with applicants notified of decisions by May 1 at the latest. The special introductory vendor fee for 2025 is just $25 per 10-by-10-foot space per vendor. Musicians and kid’s activity providers will receive a $100 stipend per market. Community and nonprofit organizations are invited to table for free. For more information, to apply as a vendor or to learn how to get involved, visit benlomondvillage.org/weekirkmarket.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

NAACP accepting youth scholarship applications

The Santa Cruz County Branch of the NAACP is now accepting scholarship applications from local Black-identifying high school seniors with plans to attend a community college or university (or enroll in a post-secondary vocational program) for fall of 2025. Scholarship materials can be found at: naacpsantacruz.com/scholarships. A completed application must be received electronically or by mail by May 1.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

San Jose State scholarship opportunities open

The Santa Cruz Chapter of the San Jose State University Alumni Association is pleased to announce that applications for its scholarships are available at sjsualumnisantacruz.org. The chapter will award renewable scholarships in amounts that range from $500 to $2,000 to graduating seniors from Santa Cruz County public high schools and to students transferring from Cabrillo College who will be enrolling at San Jose State in fall 2025. The application filing deadline is Friday. Contact Donna Ziel, scholarship committee chair, with questions at zield43@yahoo.com.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Music scholarships now taking applicants

Opportunity Grant Scholarships are now open for highly motivated students whose families are financially unable to provide private music lessons. Students can study piano, voice, string (violin, viola) and wind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone and trumpet) with distinguished teachers. Lessons for other string and wind instruments are subject to qualified teachers’ availability, so students should apply if interested.

Students must be enrolled in a Santa Cruz County school or be home-schooled residents in grades 2 through 12 during the 2025-26 school year. Students should have access to a practice instrument and transportation to weekly lessons. The application includes a brief financial statement. Families are responsible for the costs of educational materials (about $25 per year).

Applications are due May 15 for the 2025-26 school year and are available on the Santa Cruz County Music Teachers’ Association website at sccmtac.org/scholarships/#grants.

SANTA CRUZ

M.K. Contemporary Art presents photo exhibit

In partnership with The Center for Photographic Art and PhotoCarmel, M.K. Contemporary Art presents: “Divergent Visions: Alternative Photo Practices,” at 703 Front St., running April 4-27. Curated by Shelby Graham, the first Friday reception will be 6-8 p.m. and showcases innovative photographic techniques that challenge traditional approaches to image-making.

Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, and by appointment. For more info, go to mkcontemporary.art.

APTOS

St. John’s Helpful Shop sale

From Friday to Sunday, the St. John’s Helpful Shop at 246-A Center Ave. will have a half off everything in the store sale (except jewelry). Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 Sunday. Proceeds will benefit Santa Cruz nonprofits. For information, call 831-708-4238.