Artists in Santa Barbara County are invited to submit up to three pieces to the Lompoc Valley Art Association’s show, Art of Renewal, by Jan. 26. The exhibit is all about using repurposed materials to create something new. “This event celebrates both creative ingenuity and environmental responsibility, inviting local artists and art lovers to join […]
Arts
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In Santa Maria, a former art teacher opens a small business to continue expressing his creativity
Marty McLaughlin’s favorite part of his career as an educator was teaching first grade. It’s how he spent the bulk of his time as an elementary school teacher, rounding out a tenure of more than 20 years in the Santa Maria and Orcutt districts. Having studied art in college, he returned to teach the subject […]
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Chumash Casino hosts comedian Felipe Esparza
Actor and comedian Felipe Esparza will be playing the Chumash Casino Resort on Jan. 23 during his At My Leisure world tour. His stand-up starts at 8 p.m. in the Samala Showroom. After overcoming substance abuse, Esparza found stand-up comedy and began performing when he was 18 years old. His routines comment on cultural identity […]
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PCPA presents a new musical, Woven
On Jan. 17 and 18, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is bringing back its InterPlay reading series with the new musical, Woven. The story, written by Jessica Smith Campbell, is a fresh take on Homer’s The Odyssey told through Penelope’s perspective. She faces witches and goddesses, testing her resilience while Odysseus is away on his […]
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Take a look at the creative communities that shined in 2025
I’m amazed by how locals foster so many arts communities in northern Santa Barbara County. Creative circles come to life in small towns and bigger cities, rounding up eager residents and seasonal visitors. There’s not nearly enough space to capture all the impactful work we saw in 2025. I think back to the Lompoc muralist […]
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Santa Maria Civic Theatre puts on a Patsy Cline-inspired musical
Performances pick back up at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre (SMCT) with Always, Patsy Cline, which runs every weekend from Jan. 9 to 25. “The show combines humor, sadness, and heartfelt moments, providing a nostalgic look back at Cline’s life and career,” according to the theater. “The funny and heartwarming script is perfect for the […]
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Lompoc artists and businesses host the first community Art Walk of the year
The monthly Lompoc Art Walk is planned for Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s hosted by the Lonely Plover Social Club, an organization that supports local businesses and artists. “Our mission is simple but impactful: to celebrate and elevate Lompoc’s vibrant arts community,” according to the organization’s website. Residents, businesses, and artists come […]
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After a long career embracing Native American history, an author and filmmaker tackles a new topic
Gary Robinson has worked closely with Native American tribes for 45 years, but his cultural heritage wasn’t a big part of his upbringing. He was a city boy from Texas and doesn’t remember his parents taking interest in their Native culture. “I had a couple of generations of people who ran from it because in […]
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The Cypress Gallery displays tributes to winter
To kick off 2026, artists of the Cypress Gallery are putting together a tribute to winter’s cozy and serene delights. Simple Pleasures will be up from Jan. 2 to 25. “As January brings some of the darkest and coldest days of the year, take a moment to find comfort in the simple pleasures that make […]
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Art Spot on Wheels hosts mixed media classes for kids
The Solvang studio Art Spot on Wheels is hosting two six-week-long art camps for kids starting in January. For ages 7 to 12, the fun begins on Jan. 12. Each week, instructors teach a new medium and allow students to explore their own creativity. The class will meet on Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. […]
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Christine Fossemalle’s passion of four decades is still going strong
Every day when Christine Fossemalle arrives and parks across the street from her dance studio, she sees her name on the sign. It never gets old, even though the studio is about to turn 40 next summer. “When I look at my sign, Fossemalle Dance Studio, I smile every time,” the owner told the Sun. […]
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Flying Goat Cellars presents exhibit by contemporary artist
Reena Howmiller’s art show, titled What Lies Beneath, is up at Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc through January. She created colorful, abstract paintings and scarves made with Indian silk that are inspired by her other artwork. The scarves are “colorful, wearable art to swaddle one’s decolletage in an affordable luxury item,” Howmiller said in an […]
