About Us

The motto of Artisans Gallery is “Dedicated to the Creative Spirit.”  Artisans achieves this vision by featuring American made crafts with an emphasis on the wealth of local artists that Santa Cruz and the surrounding communities have to offer. Artisans Gallery carries wall art, jewelry, glass, ceramics, metal work, pottery, woodworking, cards, candles and more.

What today is known as Artisans Gallery has rich history in Santa Cruz. Prior to John and Juleen Lisher purchasing the business over fifteen years ago, Artisans was an artists’ co-operative gallery, founded in 1976.  In the fall 1989, Santa Cruz was hit by a 7.1 earthquake, which destroyed much of the original downtown.  In the face of tremendous economic as well as physical upheaval, the artists of the cooperative felt they had to disband. 

Fortunately the Lishers, local members of the downtown community, were determined to continue the business that had become a fixture of Santa Cruz.  John Lisher served on “Vision Santa Cruz” which orchestrated the rebuilding of the downtown.  And Juleen Lisher decided that since the quake had leveled the bank that she ran, she would take on the running of Artisans.  The Lishers were committed to promoting living artists and thus became “dedicated to the creative spirit.”  As Santa Cruz slowly recovered from the earthquake, the gallery slowly expanded, both in size and scope to carry artists from all of North America. 

In November of 2001 Artisans Gallery moved from 1364 Pacific Avenue to its current location of 1368 Pacific Avenue, into the space that had previously been Shen’s Gallery.  Artisans moved next door in two long days and re-opened the store the day after Thanksgiving.

Besides remaining “dedicated to the creative spirit” Artisans has also kept in mind the words of William Morris, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”  Artisans aims to make art accessible, functional and, in particular, fun!  The items found it Artisans Gallery are meant to be used and appreciated whether cutting on a unique wooden cutting board, drinking coffee from a ceramic mug or wearing a pair of handmade earrings.

Artisans works to provide the customer with a complete experience.  A customer was overheard recently, “It’s beautiful, it’s wrapped, it’s done.”  Artisans Gallery has worked hard to gain and maintain the respect of its  customers, artists and community.