What better way to commemorate the final Throwback Thursday of 2020 than a retrospective to sum up the year, particularly the local art scene in this article’s case. Looking back on the last 365 days, the only word to describe the innovations local artists and arts organizations have implemented—to combat the unprecedented limitations brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic—is extraordinary. Listed below is just a brief handful of these instances and other memorable arts moments from throughout the year.
—Caleb Wiseblood
STRONG STARTÂ
In January, Allan Hancock College held its Fine Arts Student Art Show, which ran through mid-March on the school’s Santa Maria campus, inside the Ann Foxworthy Gallery. This annual group show marked both the first and last in-person exhibit of the year at the gallery, which premiered its first virtual exhibit later in October. 2020’s Student Art Show featured artworks of various media—painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, animation, graphic design, and other disciplines—from more than 50 students, including steampunk artist Victoria Alvarez, who used the exhibit to showcase some of her digital paintings.
NO PLACE LIKE ROMEÂ
In March, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) held its production of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar in Santa Maria’s Severson Theatre. The show’s run was cut short due to the pandemic closures in mid-March, making it the last PCPA production to date. While PCPA offered a variety of successful, virtual programming throughout 2020, the company has no plans to resume live performances until next summer at the earliest, with its next season delayed to June 2021.
PEDAL TO THE PETALÂ
In May, Gallery Los Olivos compiled a collection of locally produced artworks into a virtual coloring book. The book is still available online, at gallerylosolivos.com/coloringbook, and features templates based on original art by Patti Robbins, Neil Andersson, Jayne Behman, Carol North Dixon, Peggy Fletcher, Britt Friedman, Morgan Green, Michele Knecht, Gail McBride Kenny, Sheryl Knight, Martha Inman Lorch, Linda Mutti, Paul Roark, Terri Taber, Carol Talley, and Sheila Underwood. Coloring book participants are encouraged to email their colored versions of the templates to gallerylosolivos@gmail.com.
WHERE THERE’S A WHEEL, THERE’S A WAYÂ
In July, the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang initiated its first public art project, Nature Takes the Wheel, thanks to a grant from the Buellton Arts and Culture Committee. Community members throughout the Santa Ynez Valley were encouraged to transform used hubcaps into nature-inspired artworks, including Stephen and Lisa Siemsen, who integrated their pet parrot’s cast-off feathers into their colorful hubcap (pictured).
MUSIC AS PROTEST
In August, singer-songwriter Noa Zimmerman (pictured) released the music video for her single, Rapture, which is centered on community protests against new oil drilling at Cat Canyon in Santa Maria. Zimmerman continues to raise awareness for climate justice and other issues through a nonprofit, the Artivist Foundation, which she co-founded with Elena Salinas O’Toole and Emily Goniea. The group’s motto is “art is fundamental to the success of social change.”
THE LION SCREENS TONIGHTÂ
In October, the third annual NatureTrack Film Festival offered a variety of virtual screenings rather than host a live in-person event (the festival was originally scheduled to run at several venues in Los Olivos in March, before being canceled just days before its opening date due to the pandemic). Featured films in the festival included The Birth of a Pride, which follows documentarians Dereck and Beverly Joubert (pictured) as they examine the adventures of six newly born lion cubs in Selinda, Botswana.
REOPENING WITH REMBRANDTÂ
In November, the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in Solvang reopened its doors to the public after nearly eight months of closure. The reopening was unfortunately short-lived, as Santa Barbara County moved back into the purple tier before the end of the month. Guests who were able to visit the museum during the few weeks it was open were treated to an exploration of three on-site exhibitions, including Legacy of Decency, a showcase of 21 rare Rembrandt prints.
This article appears in Dec 31, 2020 – Jan 7, 2021.
