Events

First Friday is a monthly art tour in downtown Santa Cruz.

Presenting Alanni Lanni – February 2026

We invite you to join us in welcoming Painter Alanni Lanni as our feature artist for February and March! We’re open 5-9pm so stop in on your way uptown or cap your night off with us. Fantastic wines, and excellent tapas, dog friendly Cheers-like atmosphere and known for our great art! Linger for the evening with a friend or make a new one! Reserve a firepit table for mid winter glass of our delicious wine.

Alanni Lanni’s Bio

Born in the heart of New Jersey, I readily found my way to Santa Cruz, California, where the climate and my Italian heritage converged harmoniously. While I relish the adventures of travel, the mesmerizing beauty of Santa Cruz has always been my ultimate muse.

My early fascination with art was nurtured in my father’s shop, “A.Lanni Painting and Decorating,” where I witnessed the transformative magic of pigments blending to create new colors—a true alchemist’s craft. These formative experiences ignited a lifelong passion for art.

From my earliest years, I harbored a deep love for art, which eventually led me to a fulfilling 30-year career teaching art and photography in high schools. Now, in the golden years of my life, I’ve embraced full-time painting. My educational journey includes a Master’s Degree in Painting from San Jose State University (1991), a Teaching Credential in Art from California State University Hayward (1980), a BA in Studio Art from California State University Hayward (1979), and an AA in Studio Art from Grossmont Community College, El Cajon (1971).

My art endeavors to capture the essence of California’s boundless beauty while honoring my Italian heritage and the rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped my artistic journey.

My painting style:
I primarily create figurative imagery using oil on canvas. While I sometimes paint directly from life, I mostly use my own photographs to imagine a scene and gather different elements for my composition. I usually start with a pencil drawing and apply thin layers of paint to establish shadows. Once I’m happy with the shadows, I paint the main subjects, refining both the positive and negative spaces. Instead of transparent layers, I use wet opaque layers to create subtle textures and smooth transitions, blending and scumbling with various brush types.

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IG: @alanniart, website: https://alanni.com/

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

UPCOMING 2026 SHOWS

April/May Featured Artist: Stacy Frank, Printmaking

June/July Featured Artist: Michelle Nicely

October/November Featured Artist: Jack Mento