SLV Museum Director Laura DeAngelis Brings New Vision to the Valley

When Laura DeAngelis arrived in Boulder Creek in 2013, she was simply looking for home. What she eventually found was a community that would shape her art, her purpose, and her leadership. Today, as the Executive Director of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum, Laura is helping ensure that the Valley’s stories – layered, diverse, and deeply rooted in place – are preserved and told in new ways.

Laura’s journey began far from the redwoods. She grew up in the Mojave Desert before studying photography and eventually pursuing her MFA at Mills College, a decision that transformed her perspective. 

“At Mills, I saw artists pushing boundaries, challenging what art could be,” she recalled. “It expanded my practice and connected me to the Bay Area art community.”

There, her artistic inquiry deepened, exploring identity within the diverse experiences of the diaspora. With mixed Polynesian and European heritage, Laura became focused on how culture lives in people, how it shapes their stories, and how art helps make those stories visible.

After graduation, she gained valuable experience in arts education and museums, working at the San Jose Museum of Art and at Bay Photo Labs in Scotts Valley. The work was exciting but required long commutes. She wanted something closer to home – something that allowed her to integrate community, work, and art. She found that opportunity at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.

Leading With Connection, Curiosity, and Respect for Place

When Laura stepped into the role of Executive Director in January 2023, she brought with her a strong arts background, not a traditional history degree. Yet she immediately saw how her interests aligned with the museum’s mission.

“The land here holds so much memory and history,” she said. “My focus on natural environments and identity complemented the museum’s work. History wasn’t my main field before, but being here has transformed how I research, listen, and learn.”

And her approach has paid off. Under her leadership, the museum continues to preserve local history while inviting deeper community engagement. With galleries in Felton and Boulder Creek, the museum offers both permanent and rotating exhibitions, highlighting stories connected to place – from Mexican California to early industry, indigenous plants, and local cultural life.

The museum also welcomes up to 400 students annually for hands-on history programs, led entirely by volunteers, including retired teachers who guide children through a one-room schoolhouse experience.

New Programs That Reflect Today’s Community

One of Laura’s proudest achievements has been bringing an artist-in-residence program to the museum through the Arts Council Santa Cruz County. The residency invites local artists to explore the collections and discover what’s missing.

“Our collection doesn’t fully represent the diversity of the Valley,” she explained. “Artists help us fill those gaps.”

Artists study the archives, identify overlooked histories, and develop new work to honor them. Project proposals have ranged from native plant documentation to exploring contributions from Chinese communities. Each residency culminates in a curated exhibition, artist talk, and community workshop.

Other programs include:

• Veterans Appreciation Dinner – an annual tradition to honor local veterans.

• Family Holiday Craft Workshop – heritage-inspired crafts for children and adults, held the first Sunday of December in Boulder Creek.

• Native Plant Garden and “Adopt-a-Native-Plant-Bed” Program – in partnership with Valley Women’s Club’s Native Habitat Restoration Program.

• Community Holiday Exhibition – a seasonal show featuring rotating themes such as textiles, needlework, or holiday trains.

A Small Museum with Big Local Impact

Remarkably, Laura is the museum’s only staff member. She leads programs, fundraising, art exhibitions, and community partnerships, supported by a dedicated board and team of volunteers. She recommends accessing the organization’s resource library, or using the Museums online research request form, for anyone researching local history.

What motivates her? The answer is simple: community and belonging.

“The museum is like a treasure chest,” she said, smiling. “You think you know what’s here, but when you visit, you find layers of story, culture, nature, and identity. It’s ours to protect, and to share.”

As the museum marks its 50th anniversary this year, Laura is preparing for celebrations by developing new programming with the San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society board of directors. With her leadership, the San Lorenzo Valley Museum is growing not just as a place of preservation, but as a living space for curiosity, creativity, and community memory.

How to Support the SLV Museum

• Visit exhibitions in Felton and Boulder Creek.

• Donate through the museum website.

• Attend events or become a member.

• Volunteer as a docent or help in the gardens.

In Laura’s words: “History isn’t just what happened – it’s what we choose to remember, preserve, and pass on.”

For more information and events at the San Lorenzo Valley museum, please visit www.slvmusuem.org. 

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This article first appeared in the January edition of the San Lorenzo Valley Post