News — California Nature Art Museum

Terra Firma ~ Selected Works from the Permanent Collection

September 28, 2026 - March 28, 2027

First Floor Wildling Gallery

Terra Firma or “solid earth” is a term that grounds us in the natural landscape – both stabilizing and affirming our connection to the land. The California Nature Art Museum permanent collection ranges from engaging oil paintings to sublime photography. Works by artists such as Ray Strong, Meredith Abbott, John Marshall Gamble, and Chris Chapman record some of the natural spaces found in the Santa Ynez Valley, and beyond. This exhibition highlights the iconic landscape works found in the museum’s permanent collection.

Coastal Cleanup Day at the Santa Ynez River

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

At the Santa Ynez River with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for Coastal Cleanup Day at the Santa Ynez River on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Get outside, enjoy nature, and remove harmful debris from this beloved local waterway!

The largest volunteer effort in California, Coastal Cleanup Day is a community-based opportunity to give back to the ocean, beaches, rivers, and creeks. The CalNAM team will be meeting at the bridge on Alisal Road in Solvang (coordinates: 34.5846642, -120.1446122).

Santa Cruz Island, 2-Night Stay at UC Field Station

FRI. OCTOBER 2 - SUN. OCTOBER 4, 2026

At the UC Field Station on Santa Cruz Island, with CalNAM

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a two-night trip to Santa Cruz Island on Friday, October 2nd 2026 - Sunday, October 4th 2026. Guests will be staying in the dorms at the UC Field Station, which cannot typically be accessed by the general public.

Throughout this trip, guests may enjoy fully-included, structured activities such as hiking, species identification, nature journaling, swimming, tidepooling, and travel through the use of the on-island vehicles.

Nature Journaling at Manzanita Nursery

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

At Manzanita Nursery with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a nature journaling session on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Manzanita Nursery.

This program will include a short introduction to nature journaling, a group warm-up activity, and an invitation to walk and explore the nursery’s abundant plant life, or examine select native plants at the CalNAM artist table. All participants are welcome to enjoy use of CalNAM watercolors, watercolor paper, pencils, and brushes or to bring their own supplies.

Upcoming Programs/EventsRachel MetzSeptember 3, 2026Workshop, Art Class, Nature Journal, Manzanita Nursery

Holiday Marketplace

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

At the California Nature Art Museum

The California Nature Art Museum is hosting its annual Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., providing local, unique items for locals and tourists alike to begin their holiday shopping. We hope you will join us as a vendor for this fabulous event.

All Trails Lead Inward by Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan

October 17, 2026 - April 12, 2027

Third-Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

For artist Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan, California is both her home and her greatest source of inspiration. Sangeetha began exploring the state 15 years ago, and what began as time outdoors to recover from a crippling back injury became a lifelong passion. The natural landscape helped her heal, reshaped her perspective, and eventually led her to become an avid hiker and backpacker.

Every painting in this exhibition begins on the trails of the golden state. Sangeetha paints on location, returning with sketches, color studies, and observations that become the foundation for her larger studio paintings. Rather than capturing a single moment, the paintings are built from many visits and the memories that remain.

Sip, Science, Art! - Untamed Desert

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026 / 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
At Firestone Walker Brewing Co. - Barrelworks 620 McMurray Rd, Buellton, CA 93427

Learn about the surprising vibrancy that thrives in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the surrounding areas. Paulette Donnellon is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer. She is known for capturing the hidden beauty of desert ecosystems, from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the Salton Sea.

Sip, Science, Art! Enjoy a 60-minute lecture with the opportunity to purchase delicious Firestone Walker apps, entrées, and beverages. Q&A to follow!

August 9 | Free Admission: End-of-Summer Family Day

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

At the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a free-admission, end-of-summer Family Day on Sunday, August 9th 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This annual event invites visitors to participate in a variety of free art and nature inspired activities.

Show your wild side with a face paint design, create your own upcycled art piece, shake paws with dogs and kittens from Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, wonder at a live bee hive with Santa Barbara Hives, and enjoy a nature-inspired assortment of local organization booths.

Untamed Desert: Captured by Paulette Donnellon

July 26, 2026 - January 18, 2027

Members-Only Artist Reception: July 26 2026, 2PM-4PM

Second-Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce its 2026 summer exhibition, Untamed Desert: Captured by Paulette Donnellon, on view from July 26th, 2026 - January 18th, 2027.

Vast, rugged, and full of life, Untamed Desert is a photographic tribute to the extraordinary beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Through her lens, Donnellon reveals the hidden stories of the animals that roam these arid landscapes. From the powerful, sure-footed climb of a desert bighorn sheep along rugged ridgelines to the alert, wide-eyed stance of a burrowing owl guarding its sandy doorway, each image reflects Paulette’s deep reverence for Anza-Borrego. This exhibition is more than a visual journey; it’s a celebration of the park’s wild spirit and a reminder that even in the harshest environments, beauty endures.

June 10th | Slow Art Walkthrough & Picnic Lunch

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH, 2026 / 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

A slow art walkthrough is a quiet, meditative experience designed to stretch and challenge the 8-second average viewing time for museum artwork. This guided experience will invite viewers into the benefits of mindfulness, curiosity-based observation, and the intersection of art and nature. The Museum will be closed to the public throughout the duration of the tour, and attendees will receive a staff introduction, optional fill-in art mindfulness guide, and a provided picnic lunch at Hans Christian Andersen Park (customizable lunch order).

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzJune 10, 2026Gallery Tour, Slow Art, Meditation, Yoga, Guided Tour, Lunch, Mindfulness

May 27th | Sip, Science, Art! - Sharks

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH, 2026 / 5:00 PM– 6:30 PM
At Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. 45 Industrial Way Buellton, CA 93427

JAWS - friend or foe? Learn the truth about sharks, and their beauty and importance in healthy ecosystems. Richard Salas specializes in underwater photography. His mission is to take the viewer through a marine biosphere where humanity’s impact is an undeniable force.

Sip, Science, Art! Grab some Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. apps & brews, and enjoy a 60min lecture presented by a local scientist, artist, or nature expert. Q&A to follow!

May 3rd | Lulu Hyggelig's Birthday Party

SUNDAY, MAY 3RD, 2026 | 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Tickets are on sale now! Join us for our biggest bash of the year - Lulu Hyggelig’s Birthday Party!

We will be celebrating one of CalNAM’s biggest and most popular exhibitions yet, Lulu Hyggelig - Troll #154 by world-renowned Danish Artist Thomas Dambo. This event will include a live DJ, exclusive troll photo-ops, raffle prizes, birthday cake, free crafts: birthday card & party hat decorating, appetizers, charcuterie, wine & mocktails, and our first public introduction to the NEW Executive Director!

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzMay 3, 2026Troll, Thomas Dambo, Lulu Hyggelig, Danish, Birthday Party

Santa Ynez Valley Views

April 24th, 2026 - October 12th, 2026

Third-Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

Santa Ynez Valley Views by the Tuesday Painters showcases the energy and authenticity of paintings created directly in the heart of nature. The paintings in this show encompass many artistic styles and media, for each artist interprets the outdoors in their own unique way. Using oil, watercolor, gouache, pencil and/or pastel, the Tuesday Painters capture the sensory aliveness of our region, documenting its scenic beauty - from rolling hills, rivers, and lakes to picturesque vineyards.

Current ExhibitsRachel MetzApril 24, 2026photography, Wildlife Photography, Birds, Birding, Deborah Kalas

April 12th | Free Admission: California Poppy Day

SUNDAY, APRIL 12TH, 2026 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Enjoy free admission to CalNAM for California Poppy Day 2026, held annually in celebration of our golden state flower and other native plants. Purchase native plants for your home garden, meet adoptable bunnies & guinea pigs from BUNS, create your own papercraft flower crown, marvel at CA Poppy vintage items & collectibles, enjoy live animals, and secure your free 2026 collectible sticker as one of the first 100 guests!

March 31st | Yoga In the Galleries: Gentle, Restorative, & Nature-Inspired

JANUARY 20TH - MARCH 31ST 2026 | 9:00 AM–10:00 AM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Yoga Instructor Lori Shirran for a gentle, restorative, and nature-inspired yoga class, recurring on Tuesdays at 9AM beginning JANUARY 20TH through March 2026. Nature heals, and so does yoga! In this nature-inspired yoga class, we unite gentle expressions of yoga postures with calm breathing, while weaving in mindful reflection on the awe and wonder of nature. This is a class suited for beginners and all levels of ability.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzMarch 31, 2026Workshop, Yoga, Lori Shirran

March 28th | Book Club: Solvang Library's Magpie Club... at the Museum!

SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH, 2026 / 1:30 PM– 3:00 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

The Magpie Club, organized by Solvang Library, is a group of curious readers of shiny bright things! This Magpie Club meeting will be hosted at CalNAM on Saturday, March 28th at 1:30PM in discussion of books falling under the theme, “healing through nature.” You can choose any book about healing (physical, psychological, spiritual, etc.) through nature/interaction with animals, or choose our suggested title, The Call of the Honeyguide by Rob Dunn.

When the Earth Whispers Back: Nature's Hope

March 15, 2026 - September 6, 2026

First Floor Wildling Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to present a straight-from-the-heart juried exhibition showcasing California’s wildlife on the edge of survival, and the special lands that sustain and protect them. When the Earth Whispers Back: Nature’s Hope will be on view from March 15th 2026 - September 6th 2026, and features 50 artworks juried from a pool of more than 100 submissions by Women Painters West.

This exhibition centers on plant and animal species that are endangered, threatened, and extinct, and areas of land set aside for the conservation and preservation of these species. Its artists are presenting this show with the purpose of bringing attention to the beauty and fragility of their subjects, as well as promoting better protection and stewardship of our ecosystems.

February 15th | Kid Craft Art Workshop - Animal Portrait Paper Mosaics

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, 2026 | 1:00 PM–3:30 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Artist Katherine Taylor of Poetry Frog for a paper mosaics workshop on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, from 1PM-3:30PM. Katherine will guide attendees through planning and arranging their very own animal portrait with a variety of colorful and patterned paper options. Attendees should either bring an animal photo that they connect with (such as a pet photo), or may choose from one of the provided examples.

January 29th | Adult Art Workshop - Animal Portrait Paper Mosaics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2026 | 9:00 AM–11:30 AM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Artist Katherine Taylor of Poetry Frog for a paper mosaics workshop on Thursday, January 29th, 2026, from 9AM-11:30AM. Katherine will guide attendees through planning and arranging their very own animal portrait with a variety of colorful and patterned paper options. Attendees should either bring an animal photo that they connect with (such as a pet photo), or may choose from one of the provided examples.

Ocean Forests: Our Coastal Communities

January 24, 2026 - July 20, 2026

Second-Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is delighted to share our forthcoming group exhibition Ocean Forests: Our Coastal Communities, celebrating importance of kelp forests - one of California’s most ecologically productive and diverse ecosystems. Each telling their own unique stories about the vibrancy and importance of life amongst giant kelp, this show will include four celebrated artists and three different mediums - photography, block printing, and textile/weaving.

Museum Hours

contact

Land Acknowledgment

Major Sponsors