Four counties unite for groundbreaking regional art exhibition, with a call for artist submissions.

Four arts councils from Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara counties are joining forces to present The Ground Beneath Us / La Tierra Bajo Nosotros, an exhibition that invites artists to explore their connection to land as a source of culture, memory, labor and community identity. This project is meant to highlight how land shapes the histories and futures of the diverse communities around Salinas, Watsonville, Hollister and Gilroy.

“The Ground Beneath Us is more than just an exhibition; it’s about building bridges among our artists and communities,” said Jacquie Atchison, executive director of the Arts Council for Monterey County. “The collaboration acknowledges the interconnected cultural ecosystem and aims to strengthen creative voices by pooling resources and fostering inclusion.”

The public call for artists opens on Saturday, Oct. 10, and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 10, inviting creatives working in all mediums from the four counties to submit work that engages deeply with themes such as agriculture, migration, Indigenous sovereignty, climate and the meaning of home. This is an opportunity to join a regional platform designed to cross county lines and unite voices often separated geographically.

The exhibit will appear simultaneously in four galleries in the region: Art Depot in Hollister, Watsonville Center for the Arts, ArtWorks @Salinas Studios, and 1202 Contemporary in Gilroy. Each gallery will celebrate the artists’ work with special reception events spanning January and February of 2027. The exhibition will be available for viewing until March 1, 2027.

Artists living or working in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara counties are encouraged to apply and be part of this historic, boundary-crossing celebration of place and creativity.

For more information and to apply, artists can reach out via quadcountypartners@gmail.com.