BARBARA M. BERK

Barbara M. Berk’s wall-mounted “Petite French Knot” has been selected for Connected, a sculpture exhibition at M. K. Contemporary Art in Santa Cruz, CA. 

Hosted in partnership with Pacific Rim Sculptors, the juried exhibition is sponsored by Arts Council Santa Cruz, Carol Fabert, Dave Kwinter, and Rebecca Wallace, Team Strock Real Estate.

Barbara M. Berk’s sculpture embodies the interplay of metal with traditional fiber technologies and structures.  Drawing on the sewing she loved as a girl and the metalsmithing skills she learned as an adult, she uses 16th century stitches to make bobbin lace by hand.  She then curves, loops, twists, interweaves, layers, sews, embroiders, filigrees, welds and polishes her flat stainless steel or phosphor bronze fabric into 3-dimensional forms, that become wall-mounted, ceiling-suspended and pedestal-supported sculptures.

Founded in 2019 as Curated [by the Sea] in Capitola Village, CA, the gallery moved to a 4600 sq. ft. empty storefront located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz in 2020.  The space has been transformed into a bright, spacious art gallery.  Now known as M.K. Contemporary Art, the gallery showcases the work of over 40 local and regional artists, and presents a rotating series of themed shows and special events.  

The exhibition runs from January 17 through March 1, 2026 with an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 17, 2025 from Noon – 2:00pm.    In addition, the gallery will be open for First Friday on February 6, 2026, from 6 – 8pm, and is throwing a Valentine’s Day Party on February 14, 2026 from 2 –4 pm.

M. K. Contemporary Art is located at 703 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA.  The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday from Noon to 5pm.

Information about the exhibition is courtesy of the 

M. K. Contemporary Art website.

About the work in the Exhibition: