ARTober invites you to a month-long celebration of the arts and humanities

This is a cross-published piece with Mustang News, more information can be found here.

Featuring community nonprofits, Piano in the Plaza and Art after Dark

Skulls, witches and spiderwebs draped the dimly lit hallways of the Palm Theatre. Attendees in stylish costumes and dripping fake blood buzzed with excitement as they gathered for the kickoff of ARTober.  

ARTober, a month-long celebration of San Luis Obispo’s arts and humanities, invites the public to attend live shows, film screenings, museum tours and special exhibitions like Piano in the Plaza and Art after Dark from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. 

Returning for a second year, ARTober spotlights local nonprofits and uplifts the creative industry that enriches San Luis Obispo, according to Tourism & Community Promotions Manager Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth. 

“ARTober is about experiencing what there is in our community,” Clark-Charlesworth said. “That includes over 100 pieces of public art, free events like Art after Dark, going to free museums like SLOMA or the History Center [or choosing from] a plethora of classes.”

Residents can  participate in events like Second Saturdays at SLOMA, SLO Repertory Theatre’s “Misery” and the History Center’s Mumtober flower harvest. Most events are free of charge and can be found on the city’s calendar. 

At the heart of downtown is Piano in the Plaza—an interactive exhibit in Mission Plaza open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for people to explore. Local artist Missy Reitner-Cameron painted the piano as a reminder of how “music [can] bring people together,” Clark-Charlesworth said.

Each week, a local nonprofit will be highlighted to raise awareness about its mission and organizational efforts. The SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre, SLOMA, SLO Repertory Theatre, the History Center of San Luis Obispo County, and SLO County Arts will all be featured. 

Festivities were unveiled at the Palm Theatre, where dozens donned wicked costumes and striking makeup looks for the grand opening of the SLO Film Center. Executive Director for the SLO Film Center Skye McLennan assumed new ownership over the Palm after the previous owner retired. 

“We kind of took the theatre under our own wings and we hope it stays in our community for many years to come,” she said. 

Palm Theatre has been a San Luis Obispo mainstay since 1988, bringing many independent and small-budget films to the screen.

“We’re a really small town and we don’t see ourselves sometimes on screens or we don’t hear our stories and that kind of breeds this underground arts scene, especially in film,” McLennan said. 

During ARTober, the Palm is playing all genres of horror including Japanese horror and cult classics. Visit their website to find show times and purchase tickets. 

The History Center will be holding events throughout ARTober to pay homage to San Luis Obispo’s history and cultural communities. 

The annual fundraising gala held at the Octagon Barn will “celebrate different ethnic groups who have come and provided the labor that actually physically built this county,” Executive Director of the History Center Thomas Kessler said. Guests will also enjoy a live performance by the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team. 

Other events include the Mumtober flower harvest at the Dallidet Adobe to celebrate the bloom of ‘mums,’ or chrysanthemums. 

“Take some time to get to know this place and put yourself in it,” Kessler said. “You are a part of this community, and the more you lean into that, the better your experience is going to be.” 

On Nov. 1, the SLO County Arts Council’s Art after Dark, 15 different businesses and galleries, will house local artwork. The event is free to the public with live music, performances, poetry readings and paintings on display throughout downtown.

“We encourage everyone to get out this month and use ARTober as an excuse to try something new,” Clark-Charlesworth said. “Take a dance class, a pottery class, go try the piano in the plaza, head to one of our amazing theaters and take a moment to appreciate why arts and culture is so important to San Luis Obispo.”