By Robin Jones
Plenty of cities in Orange County boast a vibrant arts scene, but Santa Ana stands out from them all with its dedication to edgy and eclectic work. Museums and galleries alike spotlight BIPOC and LGBTQ artists and represent a wide range of artistic styles, from avant-garde performance art to more traditional fine art.
Artists Village
The Artists Village is a section of Downtown Santa Ana bound by First, Fourth, Bush, and Birch Streets has been a haven for artists since the 1980s (see sidebar). The art studios here are typically closed to the public, but many open during the Downtown Santa Ana Artwalk, held the first Saturday of each month from 6-10 p.m.
AvantGarden the Art Gallery
AvantGarden the Art Gallery offers a wide array of art, from oil paintings and sculpture to art photography, glassware, and jewelry, line the walls at this North Broadway gallery.
Bowers Museum
Centered on O.C. history when it opened in 1936, the Bowers Museum remade itself in the late 1980s to focus on how art influences cultures around the world. Permanent exhibits look at art and artifacts from California, the Pacific Islands, Mexico, and China; rotating exhibits have highlighted everything from high fashion to documentary photography to the Walt Disney archives.
Crear Studio
Originally opened in the basement of the Grand Central Arts Center, the Crear Studio moved to Fifth and Broadway in 2021. It’s owned by Sarah Rafael Garcia, who also owns the LibroMobile bookstore, and aims to spotlight local artists of color.
Grand Central Art Center
Cal State Fullerton’s College of the Arts partners with the City of Santa Ana to run the Grand Central Art Center, which anchors the Second Street Promenade. Three galleries, a video project gallery, and a project wall, feature contemporary and socially relevant artwork, installations, and performances.
Murals
Santa Ana’s commitment to public art is evident; walk down any street or alley Downtown or drive around the city, and you’ll soon stumble upon a colorful mural. Discover more than 200 with our Public Art Guide.
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art was one of the first galleries to open when Downtown Santa Ana was revitalized in the 1990s; this space recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. It hosts solo exhibits and group shows built around themes like car culture, music, and architecture in art.
Santora Arts Building
Home to multiple art studios and galleries, this 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival building at the corner of Second Street and Broadway houses the Santa Ana College Gallery, which hosts an annual High School Invitational highlighting the art of local high school students, and the California Center for Digital Arts, which offers photography and multimedia classes.
Santa Ana’s thriving arts scene is a testament to its rich cultural diversity and unwavering commitment to creativity. Whether you’re exploring galleries, admiring vibrant murals, or discovering works from emerging and established artists, the city offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation that sets it apart. From the historic Artists Village to cutting-edge spaces like Grand Central Art Center and Crear Studio, Santa Ana invites visitors to immerse themselves in a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring world of art.
