The aroma of warm coffee and the beauty of paintings along the walls welcome new customers to the Corazon Cafe in San Luis Obispo. The art on the walls is made by community members and switched out regularly, bringing visibility to the local artists.
“We have these walls where we present art because we’re all about community and giving an opportunity to all,” cafe co-owner Sara Magrath said.
The Corazon Cafe has displayed art since it opened in May 2023. Magrath studied art in college and used to be an art teacher in New York. Since then, she is still very passionate about art. Her passion for art inspired her to incorporate it into the cafe’s dining experience.
“I went into art education because I just really wanted to work with people,” Magrath said. “ I love the idea of collaboration and community and teaching and exposing art to everybody.”
Each month, the Cafe hosts an art gallery and then presents the art from that gallery as decoration along the cafe walls. The next gallery, called “Chingonas,” is taking place in March and is centered around drawings and paintings of inspirational women.
“My vision is that when people walk into the cafe in March, and [the “Chingonas” feature is ] up, I hope the art on the walls is noticeable so that people stop and pause before they look at the menu,” Magrath said.
Magrath wants the art to reach more people, and she allows entries from anyone in the community. There are few restrictions about what is allowed to be entered, as Magrath doesn’t discriminate about talent, age, or capability—she just wants as many community members as possible to donate and confidently display their work.
“I reached out to one of the art teachers at [San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande] high school to see if any of the students were interested in donating art,” Magrath said. “I told the teachers that I’m not looking for your number one artist who’s applying to art school, I want people who want to participate and who have a story to tell and the artistic caliber is less important than the story behind it.”
Various art shows over the years have covered a variety of different topics and ideas, but a tradition of the Cafe is to do a cycle that features women. This is the second year the Corazon Cafe has put on a show all about women.
“March being Women’s International History Month, I was inspired to put on this show,” Magrath said. “I put it out as a portrait of women by women, [but] this year I’m changing that so that anyone can participate.”
In addition to including all genders, there is no limitation on age. People of all ages are allowed to participate in the art donation as well. The lack of strict guidelines allows for more expression and more people have the opportunity to give back to the community.
“I want the female energy to just be emanating from the walls,” Magrath said.
Magrath thinks it is important to remind people of the importance of women and strengthen the bonds that people have with each other around the community.
