Come celebrate the first Blank Canvas Arts Grant recipients—Owen Blackwell, Charlie Rugg, and Caleb Nichols—in SLO’s Region Event Center (858 Monterey St.) on Wednesday, May 20 (5 to 7 p.m.; free and open to the public; RSVP at eventbrite.com).
“Join us for an evening of art, music, and community,” organizers announced. “Meet the three artists funded in our inaugural year, hear about their projects, and connect with the SLO County arts community.”
Blackwell studies city and regional planning at Cal Poly and creates paintings influenced by pre-Columbian South American textiles. He sets up his found canvases in parking lots, at trailheads, and in parks and invites the public to contribute to his designs.
Rugg creates sculptures that distort domestic objects like a vintage TV set, 1950s dining set, and clock and reorganizes them—for instance the dining set flattened into a wall hanging.
Nichols, SLO County’s poet laureate, is bringing his poetry to life as a spoken word album, complete with SLO County field recordings.
“The Blank Canvas Arts Grant provides project funds of up to $3,000 to artists whose work challenges conventional practices and brings unexpected artistic experiences to audiences throughout the county,” organizers announced. “This year’s applicant pool demonstrated extraordinary range, reflecting the depth and diversity of creative talent rooted in this region.”
Panel discussions and Q-and-A start at 5:30 p.m. ∆
This article appears in May 14-21, 2026.