Thanks to the few yet potent days of rain in March, the springtime bloom has yielded hillsides singing with the color of wildflowers and grasses awakened by the much-needed moisture. Many local artists are inspired by the natural growth, from photographers to painters, but it takes a special kind of painter to plant themselves outside […]
Video
Eating Solvang: The best of Taste of Solvang 2016, according to one woman who tried pretty much all of it
View a slideshow from Taste of Solvang 2016. A food columnist who knows what she’s doing would narrow her field of coverage so she’s reviewing one meal—or at least one restaurant—at a time. But I have no idea what I’m doing, so this week we’re going to review the dining options of an entire city. […]
Preview: Taste of Solvang
Solvang dining has more to offer than just Danish pastries—though let’s be honest, Danish pastries play a big role. Staff Writer Brenna Swanston headed to Taste of Solvang on March 19 to sample the city’s best food and drink. See it all for yourself right here, and keep an eye out for the full review […]
22nd SLOIFF honors Ann-Margret
Academy Award Winner Alan Arkin presented Ann-Margret with the 2016 King Vidor Award at the SLO International Film Film Festival Awards Show on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo. PHOTOS BY DAVID MINSKY
Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc exhibits the mystic art of Carol Kemp
View a slideshow of Carol Kemp’s work. Some of the earliest evidence of human art is found in caves, where stony walls spring to life with the forms of various creatures, including those early people. Paleoanthropologists surmise that these representations were part of a ritualistic ceremony for our ancestors, underscoring the use of art as […]
Wildling Museum features the coast-inspired wood block prints by Tom Killion
California’s coast has been an inspiration for visual artists of most media for generations now. Each day provides a fresh view of the Pacific churning against the beaches and eroding cliffs or hills, ending with sunsets bursting with deep and resonant hues. The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is the first museum to house […]
The hot seat: The 24th District Congressional seat is open for the first time in 18 years, and it has attracted a bevy of candidates
It’s 2016, and it’s an election year. Not only does that include a presidential race, but also one for California’s 24th Congressional District, which is completely up for grabs. In April 2015, Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced her retirement, leaving open a seat she’s held for the Democratic Party for the past 18 years. She […]
Honey Paper in Los Olivos showcases photos of Karen Gearhart-Jensen
View images from the exhibit Paper, Plant, Sun. So many breakthroughs in creative work are the result of accidents or coincidence. The current body of work by Los Alamos-based artist Karen Gearhart-Jensen is no exception, nor is the circumstance that led it to show at Honey Paper in Los Olivos. On a recent sunny morning, […]
Seven detained at Vandenberg missile protest
View a slideshow of the Mar. 6 protest at Vandenberg. Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) security detained seven people after they refused an order to leave base property on March 6. They were a part of a larger group of roughly 30 people who gathered at the base that afternoon to protest the military’s use […]
Movement of Light: Local entrepreneurs, performers, and artists trick out flow arts and festival installations with LEDs
Rainbow ribbons danced effortlessly around her, as if in sync with her hypnotic gyrations. Fractal, multicolor patterns trailed like glowing gossamer from the plastic hula hoop that spun around her hips, legs, and arms, illuminating her body in the low evening light. Even though this was happening at an outdoor electronic dance music festival, this […]
Movement of Light: Local entrepreneurs, performers, and artists trick out flow arts and festival installations with LEDs
Helianthus Enormae – The giant luminous sunflower from PhotonicBliss on Vimeo. This is a sculpture by Chad ‘fez’ Gaetz wish I had the pleasure of getting to program. It is a 25 foot tall steel sunflower, and it is so fun to climb on. 🙂
Strung out: John Doan takes audiences on a harp guitar journey
Watch a video of John Doan performing on 20-string harp guitar. The guitar became a leading instrument of the 20th century because of its versatility. One simple stringed and fretted chordophone gave generations of musicians the ability to play rhythmic chords and endless melodic lines. But some musicians are never satisfied. Guitars with seven strings […]

