Tag archives: art

Dare We Say Things are Looking Up?
By Ted Mills   |   November 22, 2021

At least as of this writing, autumn is fully upon us, the wind is chilly, and we are (please please please) getting back to some normalcy. I mean, we actually had a First Thursday Art Walk amid the Pianos on State Street! Let’s keep it up, everybody. Also, by the time you read this our […]

Richard Schloss: A Lifetime of Painting the Light
By Zach Rosen   |   November 9, 2021

Everyone has a unique perspective and sees the world a little differently. This always becomes apparent when looking at landscape paintings where two artists will represent the same scene in completely different ways. Some artists may focus on how color captures the movement of nature. Others may emphasize the organic forms that are found outdoors. […]

The Artist’s Table
By Lynda Millner   |   November 9, 2021

The “dinosaurs” had been put to bed and it was grown up time at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH). The soirée kicked off an art show in Fleischmann Auditorium with fine wines and a signature cocktail. Outside was an array of tables set beautifully with a small painting at each place done […]

A Peake at Something Special
By Lynda Millner   |   October 26, 2021

“Channing Peake – To Mexico and Beyond” is the latest event going on at Casa del Herrero. The Casa is that National Historic Landmark house in Montecito built by George Steedman in the1920s. It’s open to the public by reservation, but right now there is an extra treat. It’s an exhibit of the internationally celebrated […]

Borein and His Circle of Friends
By Hattie Beresford   |   October 19, 2021

A congenial and festive crowd gathered in the lovely courtyard of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum to celebrate the opening of guest curator Marlene Miller’s exhibit, Borein and His Circle of Friends on Thursday, September 22. The balmy warmth of the evening was matched by the warmth of the response to the exhibit and the […]

The Divide Between Art and Science
By Stella Haffner   |   October 19, 2021

Dear Montecito, Last week we spoke about the importance of scientific curiosity and developing a sense of adventure. This week, I think we’d do well to examine the divide between science and arts disciplines. When discussing the separation of arts and sciences, it is hard not to address the elephant in the room. This elephant […]

Jazz, Pizza, Art and Old Friends: What More Could a Gal Ask For?
By Leslie Westbrook   |   October 19, 2021

“New York City is back!” I exclaimed to Gianni Valenti over a drink at Birdland, the 70-plus-year-old jazz club and theater cabaret that he’s owned for the past three-plus decades, on 44th Street in New York City. “It’s half back,” he corrected me, adding that his longtime landlord was very understanding of the economic climate […]

Fall Cocktail Reception
By Lynda Millner   |   October 12, 2021

The Art Foundation of Santa Barbara presented its fall cocktail reception at the Santa Barbara Club with drinks and dinner on the lawn and a most interesting lecture indoors. The keynote speaker was Jean (pronounced Jon) Stern. He joked about being taken for a girl many times because of his name. He was born in […]

Finding Light at Ojai Valley Museum
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 12, 2021

“Finding Light” is an eclectic exhibition featuring artworks by 60 artists from the Ojai Studio Artists (OSA) collective, now on view through October 11 at the Ojai Valley Museum (OVM). The theme of the exhibit was directed by OSA Exhibition chair and artist Richard Amend, based on Amanda Gorman’s 2021 Inaugural poem, “The Hill We […]

Following Dreams: ‘Avanti’ is a Must-See
By Alicia St. John   |   October 5, 2021

“Vai Avanti!” is translated as “Go forward! Follow your dreams; create from the heart; treasure life’s beauty; embrace destiny!” All of the works in the upcoming one-woman exhibition “Avanti” by Italian-born artist Angela Ferraro speak of rich, individual stories, as well as contributing to the overall theme of forward momentum. These stories are deep, evocative, […]

A New Vision: Tara Rose Toner Finds New Direction Amid Pandemic
By Ted Mills   |   September 28, 2021

The year of COVID made us rethink a lot about interiors and exteriors. Some of us holed up inside, either by choice or by decree. Others found themselves outside more than usual, discovering or renewing their love affair with our beautiful landscape. For painter Tara Rose Toner, that led to a new interest in plein […]

New Book Unleashes SB Artists and Their Dogs
By Scott Craig   |   September 28, 2021

Read about the natural bond between dogs and artists in a new book, Santa Barbara Artists and Their Dogs, and see portraits of them in an exhibition through December 18 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s downstairs gallery. The Art Council of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art created the book, which will be […]

Finding a New Artistic Outlet
By Stella Haffner   |   September 21, 2021

This week, we’re hearing from a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music, 23-year-old Jules Bartling. I’ll admit, it’s quite difficult for me to picture Jules as an adult. The last time we saw each other, we were probably nine and 12 years old, in the MUS auditorium, rehearsing for that season’s play — […]

CAST of Characters
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 21, 2021

Your faithful correspondent finds collaborations compelling, whether between artists in various genres or among cooperating venues. Both are in play with the current showcase series at Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science, and Technology (SBCAST), where three of its Artists in Residence are staging weekend exhibits of installation art, design, multimedia projects, and performances. The […]

Art in the Grass
By Lynda Millner   |   September 14, 2021

I met local artist Mara Abboud many moons ago and have always been envious of her talent. What better way to spend a day than enjoying her outdoor art display and eating a three-course lunch at the Santa Barbara Club. Mara’s paintings have received the attention of the art world because of her unique technique. […]

Is That Some Normalcy We See?
By Ted Mills   |   September 9, 2021

I’m knocking on wood right now (my own skull, don’t ya know), but it almost feels like some normalcy is returning in pockets to Santa Barbara’s art scene. I know that’s hard when a lot of our favorite galleries and spaces have upped and left. But there’s things you should know about, and I’d be […]

It’s Crystal Clear: Maria Constanza Ferreira Has a Special Skill
By Zach Rosen   |   September 9, 2021

Much like how an interest can form and spread, a crystal begins from a seed point and grows from there. For Maria Constanza Ferreira, her interest in crystallography and animation has led to her own life growth with her award-winning films and artworks being displayed around the world. Maria has had a deep fascination for […]

Babcock Winds Down Summer with Vintage Market, Art + Wine Affair
By Claudia Schou   |   September 7, 2021

Expand your culinary palate this week at Babcock Winery’s Vintage Market, Art + Wine Event. Wine lovers can sip crisp or silky wines paired with savory, handcrafted dishes prepared by local catering outfit Valle Fresh. End the summer sipping rosé while shopping for unique finds for your closet and keepsakes for your home. The hillside […]

‘Open’ for Business
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 7, 2021

After canceling due to the coronavirus pandemic last Labor Day weekend, the Santa Barbara Studio Artists’ Open Studios Tour is back for its 20th annual event with nearly 30 local painters, sculptors, mixed-media, and other artists throwing open the doors to the spaces where they create their works. Once again, art lovers will have the […]

Museum Focuses on Faculty in ‘Sight, Insight’
By Scott Craig   |   September 7, 2021

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum focuses its attention on the college’s talented art faculty in “Sight & Insight: Westmont College Studio Art Faculty Exhibition” September 2 through October 30. The public is invited to a free, opening reception on Thursday, September 2, from 4-6 p.m.  “Our art faculty are all accomplished working artists in their own […]