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Santa Barbara Art, Artists, Galleries and Shows


beach photos - California art - art shows

 

You can't escape it! Art is everywhere you look in Santa Barbara. From scenic mountains to magical ocean views, artists and art lovers are drawn to a place that inspires the imagination.  And few cities along the coast take art quite so seriously as Santa Barbara does.  From a lottery system for artists who want to display their works in Sunday shows, to the flags and banners that hang on poles,  a great amount of care goes into deciding what exists and where.  This beautiful "Riviera" takes its art seriously and for that, we tourists can be thankful.

 

While there are changing exhibits in galleries and museums throughout the city, the Arts and Crafts Show is a weekly event held along grassy knolls next too  the palm-lined sidewalks of Santa Barbara's scenic Cabrillo Street.  Each Sunday at 10 a.m.,  around 250 artists and craftsmen set up displays and begin selling things near Stearns Wharf and the beach. Fine art, leather goods such as belts and wallets, ceramics, glass items, jewelry and many one-of-a-kind gifts provide a perfect remembrance of a trip or a unique present not always seen in shops.

 

From up and coming names, to established artists, the outdoor venue provides opportunities to meet the creators one-on-one and purchase their products.  In coastal California where the weather is superb, you can't help but want to be outside and this event allows you to enjoy that "Riviera" feel.   The show lasts till dusk and is held nearly every Sunday (no show on several major holidays).

The Art Show is fantastic but Santa Barbara Museum of Art will knock your socks off.  It's hard to believe a city of less than 100,000 can support such a fine museum.  Yet Santa Barbara has provided a home for works from artists Albert Bierstadt, George Inness, John Singer Sargent, Frederic Remington, Morisot, Monet, Matisse, Braque, Bonnard, Dufy, Derain and Chagall, to name just a few.  The only problem we have with visiting this fine specimen, is that you need a day to absorb the world class paintings and exhibits.  If you're only in town for  24 hours, do your best to steal away some time and visit one of Santa Barbara's best assets. 
 

Santa Barbara Museum of Art,  1130 State Street,  Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2746 Tel: (805) 963-4364 Closed Mondays  www.sbmuseart.org    Since its founding in 1941, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art offers Ancient Art, Asian Art (Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Tibetan) and dozens of exhbits, along with American and European Art, plus special exhibits and shows.  Cafe and Gift Shop, plus an Extensive Art Travel Program University Art Museum  University of California at Santa Barbara.  The museum has acquired a permanent collection of nearly  7000 works of art, as well as extensive holdings of architectural drawings.  Monday, closed. The Museum is free. Campus parking required on Tuesday through Friday, no fee on weekends.The Museum is wheelchair accessible   : (805) 893-7564

 

Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum  653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara 93101   (805) 966-5373/TDD (805) 965-9727 ,  Non-profit organization sponsoring exhibitions of contemporary art in two galleries and in a windowspace;   performances, lectures and other events.

Karpeles Manuscript Library  21 W Anapamu St    Santa Barbara   CA (805) 962-5322 

Fielding Institute  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday or by  2020 De La Vina St  Santa Barbara  CA (805) 687-1099