Greater Bay Area Open 2025: Breaking Through

“After Night Swimming” oil on canvas, 24” x 30”

August 1 - October 4, 2025

The Greater Bay Area Open (GBAO) is a fine art only competition and exhibition presented by the Los Gatos Art Association (LGAA), designed to promote fine art and artists from the greater Bay Area. Starting in 2015 and held biennially, the GBAO is now in its sixth showing and has moved to even-numbered years.

This exhibit brings an exciting and dynamic association between the LGAA and NUMU, New Museum Los Gatos, host to this collaboration.

Spanning twelve Bay Area counties, from Sonoma to Monterey, this juried event draws artists to compete for awards and recognition but also brings exposure to respected jurors, galleries, and art collectors from the region. The GBAO embraces artistic excellence, accepting both two-dimensional and three-dimensional fine art into this premier venue.

EXHIBITION THEME

Breaking Through

"A point at which a significant change occurs”

For an artist, “breaking through" is a moment or event that marks a significant shift in the creative process, perspective, or direction. It’s like a new turning point or a realization that opens up new avenues for exploration. In the search for inspiration, a breakthrough might originate with an external event, such as experiencing a new culture, meeting a mentor, or going through a personal challenge. It could also be prompted by an internal shift—perhaps a change in how artists view their work or the world around them.

This moment doesn’t always have to be dramatic or grand; sometimes it’s a quiet passage that leads to new layers of creativity. For example, artists might realize they’re more interested in abstraction than realism, or they might discover a new medium that completely changes the way they approach their craft. That’s when the internal compass realigns, pushing them toward new ideas, new techniques, or a deeper connection to their own expression.

In essence, breakthroughs are catalysts that break down creative blocks and can open fresh channels of inspiration. They are milestones where artists feel that they’ve unlocked something – an emotional truth, a new technique, or a different way of thinking—that propels them forward in their artistic journey.

NUMU New Museum Los Gatos
106 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030