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Rob Mathews and Wright Schickli Photograph at CASP Open Studios

Ellen Gilkerson | Published on 5/2/2026

Denise Laxen di Zazzo, Communications and Artist Studio Program Coordinator for the City of Palo Alto, contacted Jim Colton, inviting volunteers to take photos at the Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP) open studios event on Saturday, April 25, at Cubberley Community Center. Palo Alto gives PACC free or a reduced rate for use of its facilities; and participation in city events is a nice way to give back. Rob Mathews and Wright Schickli stepped up!

 

Their assignment was to photograph the artists and their interactions with people visiting their studios. They photographed whatever appealed to them and sometimes asked people to pose. The artists were happy to talk about their interesting and varied work, which included, for example, painting, textiles, woodworking, and yes, even photography of various forms. Afterwards, Rob and Wright provided JPGs to Denise.


Rob says:  It's fun to do, and it's low pressure. So when Jim asks for volunteers next time, sign up!

 

And Wright says:  I've done this three times, and each time is even more fun than the previous. Great street and portrait photography practice in awkward lighting (albeit in artists' studios), and engaging conversations with artists.

A few photos from the event:
MbrInNews 2026_04 Mathews Schickli CASP.jpg

The Cubberley Artist Studio Program is a unique, competitive program with established artists that offers affordable studio space, building creative community and fostering public engagement with the arts and artists. The program provides studios for long-term (19 artists) and short-term (3 artists) residencies – rent-subsidized studio space and a creative community for artists in exchange for community service. The artists work in a rich diversity of media including installation, mixed media, painting, printmaking, interdisciplinary art, photography, sculpture, film, textile, woodworking, and performance. You can read a recent Palo Alto Online article about the program and several of the participating artists here:  https://www.paloaltoonline.com/ae/features/2026/03/26/a-room-of-ones-own-palo-alto-residency-program-gives-artists-space-to-create/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Palo Alto Online - Weekend Express - 2026-03-26&utm_source=ba1b002ad7&utm_source=Embarcadero+Mailing+List+%28including+SLJ+Members%29&utm_campaign=12a637c15f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_03_25_11_55&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-12a637c15f-112521225.

 

Details:

 

Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP):

  https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Community-Services/Arts-Sciences/Cubberley-Artist-Studio-Program

  Coordinator:  Denise Laxen di Zazzo

    denise.laxendizazzo@paloalto.gov

  Next CASP open studios: November 14, 1 pm to 5 pm