Join the City of San Luis Obispo’s Public Art Program and the SLO County Arts Council for the 2026 Rooted in Art Lecture Series — a yearlong celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Dedicated to the memory of Allen Root, this series invites a wide range of artists, creative practitioners, and art‑engaged community members to share their work, ideas, and perspectives on how art shapes life in San Luis Obispo.
Lectures take place on the third Wednesday of each month and begin with a brief community update from City Public Art staff and the Arts Council, followed by a featured speaker presentation and audience Q&A.
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Third Wednesday of each month
995 Palm St, San Luis Obispo
This moth's lecture
November 18, Caleb Nichols
Writer, musician, and SLO County Poet Laureate Caleb Nichols closes out the series with a talk blending poetry, music, and civic imagination. Nichols, who holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Bangor University, will share work from their forthcoming collection Lithic: A Hyperballad (Harbor Editions, 2026) and reflect on the Poet Laureate program, artistic identity, and the role of poetry in community life.
The Rooted in Art Lecture Series is dedicated to the memory of Allen Root, who committed his life to art and community. Allen served as SLO County Arts Board President, created multiple public art sculptures, played a key role in creating the Percent for Art Ordinance, and assisted the City with many Public Art maintenance projects. SLO County Arts and the City of SLO hope that this program can serve as a testament to his powerful legacy as a community centerpiece, storyteller and artist.
