As I type this, I’m singing the words of one of my favorite songs loudly to myself: 1972’s “The Candy Man” by the late and great Sammy Davis Jr. The music is an appropriate accompaniment to this story, although the song might be more aptly titled, “The Candy Family” or “The Candy Shop” (this is […]
REBECCA ROSE
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Valley Art presents Greater Shades of Love
Valley Art Gallery in Orcutt hosts Greater Shades of Love, a new show that runs through Feb. 23. The curated show features work from many Valley Art participants. A meet-and-greet reception for the artists is planned for Feb. 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Valley Art Gallery. The gallery is located at 125 […]
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Santa Maria Library introduces book delivery
The Santa Maria Public Library is now offering service from Zip Books, which enables readers to order books and audiobooks not currently owned by any of the library’s branches and have them sent to their home at no cost. Items from Zip Books typically take three to five days to arrive and can be returned […]
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Elverhoj Museum presents painting workshop
The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art will host a three-day workshop with local artist Nancy Yaki from Feb. 28 through March 2. Yaki’s acrylic painting workshop will center on a new topic each day to help aspiring artists or hobbyists learn how to better utilize the medium. Day one features exploring acrylic paint and […]
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Melinda Palacio’s writing touches on issues of cultural identity and history
“Black cormorants on bare branches spread their wings as if in prayer. A sunny day in Summerland and the tree, visible only from the highway, hides its penitent perch from cars racing by too fast.” The stark visual contrasts in Melinda Palacio’s poem, “The Praying Tree,” show just how skilled she is at […]
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SMCT outdoes themselves with a solid production of A Streetcar Named Desire
It’s a play known for one of the most iconic moments in acting history, but what’s probably most remarkable about Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire is its impressive and often intense timeliness. The Santa Maria Civic Theatre is currently staging a revival of the 1947 classic, featuring the story of doomed heorine Blanche DuBois […]
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HEALTH & BEAUTY ISSUE: Mia Espinosa harnesses the power of makeup’s increasing online popularity to grow her business
Mia Espinosa was a middle schooler when she thought she pulled off the ultimate makeup coup. It was school picture day and she tried wearing what she called a “natural look” for her photo. Her mother was having none of it. “I thought I was slick and could pull off the ‘natural look,’” she said. […]
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Artist Dr. Isabel Downs and her husband, Dr. Robert Wagoner, discuss their work together at the Wildling Museum
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature will present Nature Through the Eye of a Needle featuring Dr. Isabel Downs and her husband, marine biologist Robert Warner. Downs is a fiber artist who has worked alongside her husband for decades, as a research assistant and as an artist chronicling their scientific endeavors. In a Q […]
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Shamrock Acosta’s daring sculptures break out of the box
The work of Shamrock Acosta doesn’t take long to jump out at you. Bold yet unapologetically playful, Acosta’s pieces are an expression of synergy between all of the best elements of art and are largely created from found or repurposed items. A saw with a grinning face. A robot with the body of an antique […]
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Weaving workshop planned in Los Olivos
Zaca Mesa Winery will host a weaving workshop in Los Olivos on Jan. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. Weavings by Alexa will lead a workshop where participants can learn to create woven art pieces. Tickets are $69 and include a wooden loom with wool fibers. Refreshments including Zaca Mesa wines will be served. The […]
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Lompoc library seeks local artwork
Lompoc Public Library’s Grossman Gallery is calling for artists to submit work samples to be considered as an exhibitor for the 2019-20 calendar year. Artists from the Central Coast must submit six exhibit-ready pieces by Feb. 7. Work will be evaluated for technique, expression, and style. Members of the Lompoc Public Library’s Art Advisory Committee […]
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Santa Barbara County to offer relief funding for arts
The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture plans to provide funds through a new disaster relief grant program to support small arts organizations and local artists impacted by the Thomas Fire and other natural disasters. Grants are intended to help locals recoup lost income or replace or repair damaged materials. More than $30,000 […]