SBMA Ambassadors’ 75th Anniversary Celebration

Hello Loves! It’s been a Society minute with many newsworthy notables coming your way. 

This weekend I had the utmost honor to attend the SB Museum of Art’s celebration for the 75^th Anniversary Year of its “Ambassadors” (formerly known as the SBMA Women’s Board) on Saturday, April 15 at the SB Cabrillo Pavilion. The celebration is titled, “Mid-Century in Motion: Celebrating 75 Years of Integrating Art and Life with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.”

Going with the event theme, guests sported their top ‘50s fashion with poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes, a few Marilyn Monroe classic conservative belted dresses with those feathered hats and matching small handbags. With attendees dressed in 1950s attire and the lineup of vintage automobiles parked in front of the Cabrillo Pavilion, I couldn’t help but wonder… did we just go ‘back to the future with Marty McFly who was seen recently celebrating Lucky’s 25^th…?!

Entering the gala, we were greeted by the SBMA team, servers with bites and wine, and an antique phone booth that jetted out four pics on a commemorative strip with the SBMA Logo. For entertainment, The Los Angeles Big Lucky Band played jazz and dance hits, and a few expert swing dancers got everyone up on the dance floor. 

Promptly at 6 pm guests were ushered into the dining area for a buffet home style ‘50s dinner, from sliders to shrimp and fries – and the event program itself.

Emcee Claudia Dunn welcomed the guests and thanked all the sponsors. SBMA Ambassadors President Deb Joseph made a brief speech about the Ambassadors, offering heartfelt thank-yous to the group. 

Next, a fact-filled Legacy Tribute to the Ambassadors was read by Hsiu-Zu Ho, who presented the history of the group, their top accomplishments and directed attention towards the past presidents of the Ambassadors attending, namely, Helene Segal, Jeanne Fulkerson, Julie Blair, Paula Farrington, and Mary Maxwell. Notes from Ho’s speech, “This organization has brought exhibitions to life, expanded education opportunities, welcomed new audiences and opened doors for countless individuals to experience art in ways that inform, inspire and transform. This legacy is defined by people, and our presidents past and present. We are grateful for your enduring legacy. With dedicated sponsors and volunteers you have built something lasting. Here’s to 75 years of vision, community and belief in the power of art, and to all we will create together.” With that, all toasted and applauded.

Ho introduced Amada Cruz, the SBMA Eichholz Foundation director with accolades, while Cruz blushed and took to the podium.

Cruz echoed the love felt in the room for the Ambassadors with her speech. She shared, “It is truly a pleasure for this momentous anniversary, we celebrate 75 years of the Ambassadors. They have supported capital campaigns, gallery renovations, strengthened our education programs, helped the SBMA acquire 82 works of art – that’s amazing…” (she said as a quick, appreciative aside before continuing) – “…sponsored more than 40 exhibitions; and that art is accessible in our galleries and our communities. We are so grateful for that support. This evening’s celebration is a wonderful tribute to your history and your continued energy. On behalf of all of us at the museum we thank you.” 

The four item Live Auction was led by Joshua Ramirez, who quipped anecdotes and teased guests to bid on the items. The most coveted prize was a VIP pair of Dugout Club tickets for the L.A. Dodgers vs. Boston Red Socks August 2nd game with a stay at the five-star Jonathan Club DTLA. It aptly went to true Bostonian Mark Bradley, who so coolly outbid everyone in the room to the tune of $6,500. And yes, his happy Bostonian wife Susan, who is the SBMA Deputy Director of External Affairs, will be going with him.

The event co-chairs Kirsten Ellis and Emiko Kirshman were assisted by their event committee members Karena Akhavein, Stacey Byers, Linden Doss, Claudia Dunn, Paula Farrington, Tobi Feldman, Kathy Hartz, Deb Joseph, Linda Kollofski, Cathy Milner, Joanne Ohlman, Michèle Profant, Joshua Ramirez, Evie Savage, Karen Tenzer, Martha Townsend, and Jaimie Wight.

The 2025-26 SBMA Ambassadors Executive Committee attending were Deb Joseph, President; Kathy Hartz, VP Membership; Kirsten Ellis, VP Development; Emiko Kirshman, VP Development; Linda Kollofski, VP Communications; Diane Pannkuk, VP Social Activities; Paula Farrington, Treasurer and Parliamentarian; and Sally Lecomte, Secretary. Also, the SBMA Ambassadors past presidents attending were Helene Segal, Jeanne Fulkerson, Julie Blair, Paula Farrington, and Mary Maxwell. 

The absolutely gorgeous event program featured the history of the SBMA Ambassadors (again, formerly known as the SBMA Women’s Board). It also showcased a few of the art works they raised funds for the SBMA to purchase. Their humble beginnings were founded by their first president, Barbara Storke in 1951. 

A huge nod goes to all the vintage car owners who, regardless of the unanticipated rain, displayed their cars in the spirit of the evening’s theme. The vintage auto show was curated by none other than Montecito’s Dana Newquist, President of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) who attended with his wife Andrea who is on the Montecito Association Board. The cars displayed were:

Alan Porter’s red 1955 Corvette with first Chevrolet V8
Gary Kollofski’s turquoise/ivory 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
Leslie Zemeckis’ red 1954 Eldorado Cadillac
Alma Rose Middleton’s 1955 blue Ford Thunderbird
John Green’s French racing blue 1952 Ferrari 340 America Berlinetta
Monte and Maria Wilson’s battleship grey 1954 Jaguar XK120
Bruce Heavin’s orange/off-white 1956 BMW Isetta 300

Thank-yous went to the event Gold Sponsors: The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation; William H Bridge and Michèle Profant; James and Kirsten Ellis; Deb and Doug Joseph; Pei Shu; and Martha and Timothy Townsend. The event Silver Sponsors were: J. Scott Francis and Susan Gordon of the Francis Family Foundation; Junie and Eddie Jinkins; and Patricia Yzurdiaga.

Any my special thanks to Karen Y. Kawaguchi, SBMA Director of Legacy Giving and Membership for all you do BTS for this news reporter!  

Till next week Loves! Xx JAC

411: www.sbma.net