A new ongoing exhibit is heading to the Betteravia Art Gallery. The opening reception for Post-Wild: Nature in the 21st Century will be held on May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Following an open call for submissions, thereāll be 54 pieces by 34 artists featured in the show ranging from photographs and paintings to […]
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Four artists dive into the deep for a CalNAM show
Paddle on over to the California Nature Art Museum for an exhibit under the sea. Itās hanging at the museum until July 20. Four artists contributed work celebrating the dynamic ecosystems that are touched by the saltwater spray. Ocean Forests: Our Coastal Communities highlights giant kelp, the largest marine plant on the planet. Each stalk […]
Valley Art Gallery presents its latest show
A multigenerational art exhibit is next on the agenda for the Valley Art Gallery. See paintings in distinct styles from three family members at the Santa Maria Public Airport from April 6 through the end of May. An artist reception will be held on April 18 starting at 11 a.m. inside the airport near Pepper […]
CalNAMās newest nature-focused exhibitĀ in Solvang
The next time youāre strolling the streets of Solvang, take a pause to enjoy a gallery of art that celebrates the local environment. A juried exhibit called When the Earth Whispers Back: Natureās Hope is up at California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) through Sept. 6. āThis exhibition will center on plant and animal species that […]
A Central Coast artist paints todayās landscapes for tomorrowās remembrance
When Katy Smith tells people sheās going painting in Orcutt, she gets puzzled looks in return. āTheyāre like, āWhere do you paint in Orcutt?ā As if thereās not something here to paint,ā Smith said. āThere are so many beautiful places in Orcutt to paint, and you just have to stop long enough and take it […]
Take a look at the creative communities that shined in 2025
Iām 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. Thereās not nearly enough space to capture all the impactful work we saw in 2025. I think back to the Lompoc muralist […]
Gallery Los Olivos artists participate in a communal exhibit
The annual group show at Gallery Los Olivos will be featured through January 2026. Itās an optional show for artists who are members of the gallery and will showcase a wide variety of work including photographs, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. The show is called a Winter Celebration to encapsulate the diversity of media. āWe try […]
A 97-year-old artist keeps going by doing what she loves
In her nearly 97 years, Esther Serna Bartlett tried all sorts of new things because she wanted to know what they were like. Violin. Sculpture. Watercolors. Tennis. Ballet. āI think I was the oldest student,ā she said about the dance class she took in the late 1990s. āI wanted to know what ballet was about.ā […]
Playful glass pieces and knitted accessories fill up the Cypress Gallery
Joellen Chrones is the featured artist at the Cypress Gallery with her show, Hot Glass and Warm Fuzzies, until Nov. 23. Chrones presents her glasswork and wool fashion accessories. āThis exhibit celebrates the playful side of glass with functional and whimsical fused glass pieces, from cheerful bowls and bright platters to quirky wind chimes,ā according […]
Square Perspectives is on display this month at the Cypress Gallery
Square Perspectives, an art show at the Cypress Gallery, is showing until Oct. 26 featuring 12-by-12-inch works created by both professionals and beginners. āThis democratic approach creates a visually striking mosaic of styles and techniques and fosters a supportive environment where established and up-and-coming artists can connect and inspire each other,ā according to the gallery. […]

