City of San Luis Obispo, CA

The City of San Luis Obispo is thrilled to announce the 2026 Rooted in Art Lecture Series and this year’s lineup is especially vibrant. Co-presented with the SLO County Arts Council and dedicated to the memory of local arts champion Allen Root, the series spotlights a wide range of artists, creative practitioners, and art-engaged community members whose perspectives illuminate the many ways art shapes and enriches life in San Luis Obispo. 

All events are free and open to the public but do require registration. Events take place on: 

• Third Wednesday of each month through November 
• SLO Public Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street
• 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 

Each gathering begins with a brief 10–15-minute community update from the SLO County Arts Council and City Public Art Program staff, followed by a 60-minute presentation and Q&A. 

See the 2026 Lineup

August 19, Timo Beckwith 
Multidisciplinary artist Timo Beckwith works across sculpture, painting, digital art, music, and dance exploring the relationships among time, form, and the natural world. Beckwith describes his creative journey as one flowing through “many waters—some peaceful and serene and others wild and turbulent.” His talk will offer a window into how these currents shape his evolving practice. 

September 16, Elizabeth Johnson 
Artist, educator, and seasoned public speaker Elizabeth Johnson will present a slide survey of her 50-year art career. Johnson’s conceptual practice spans diverse materials and ideas, often reflecting on what it means to create within a semi-rural, conservative county. She will share insights into cultivating joy, intellectual curiosity, and community connections throughout an artistic life. Attendees will also be able to view her handmade booklets filled with images, text, photographs, and drawings. 

October 21, Linnea Valdivia 
In “Unruly Bodies: Monstrosity, Race and Gender in Pop Culture,” cultural worker Linnea Valdivia examines the figure of the monster or freak as both a liberatory and controlling force within popular culture. Using tools from performance studies and critical race theory, Valdivia will guide audiences through video screenings, group discussion, and an interactive exercise analyzing visual culture through an intersectional lens. Valdivia currently serves as Program Manager for the GALA Pride and Diversity Center. 

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.

Make plans to attend and be part of the ongoing conversation about art, culture, and creativity in San Luis Obispo. 

For more information and to register for a talk, please visit: www.slocountyarts.org/art-talks.

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Media Contact: Amanda Grieshop, Public Art Coordinator, 805-503-3464, agriesho@slocity.org