By Clarence Cromwell
Los Gatos painter Bruni Sablan will pack up her paints and leave Los Gatos following a rent dispute with the owners of Old Town, the artist said last week. She may be headed for Campbell.
Sablan--who usually does her work under her first name only--has become known for her portraits of jazz greats. One painting of Duke Ellington is part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection. Others have been bought by jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and Chan Parker (widow of Charlie Parker).
Bruni launched her painting career from her basement studio at Old Town in 1980. "I've gone from the basement to the Smithsonian in the time I've been here," Bruni said.
The artist decided to move this spring, after Old Town asked her to sign a new lease that would have included a higher rent and a move to new quarters; the center wants to close up all its basement space, including Bruni's studio, to keep the building earthquake- and fire-safe. Her old lease on the space expired in January.
Bruni said her gallery can't afford the higher rent the spruced up shopping center plans to charge.
Ed Storm said Old Town will be losing a jewel if Bruni moves on.
"I think [she] dignifies the tenant mix," Storm said. "You can't get artists to come into most retail centers. They aren't drawn to that kind of atmosphere. I hope they find a good space because they're also an asset to Los Gatos."
Since cutting herself loose from what has probably been the only underground studio in town, Bruni said she's been considering retail space in the Campbell area.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, April 16, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.