April 6th | Free Admission: California Poppy Day

SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2025 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

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

Enjoy free admission to the California Nature Art Museum for California Poppy Day 2025, held annually in celebration of native plants & pollinators. Purchase native plants for your home garden, create your own papercraft flower crown, enjoy free floral face-painting, marvel at CA Poppy vintage items & collectibles, and secure your free 2025 collectible sticker as one of the first 100 guests!

Celebrating 25 years: Selections from the CalNAM Permanent Collection

March 22, 2025 - January 2026

Members-Only Artist Reception: June 1st 2025, 3PM-5PM

Second-Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce our latest exhibition, showcasing both new acquisitions and long-established pieces from our permanent collection of nearly 150 works of art. Curated by former board chair Peter Adams and his wife Becky, both long-time CalNAM patrons, this show features artwork from exceptional local artists such as John Iwerks, Lockwood DeForest, Everett Ruess, and Museum Founder Patti Jacquemain, as well as a new acquisition by historic California artist John Marshall Gamble.

Current ExhibitsRachel MetzMarch 20, 2025Nansi Bielanski Gallup, David Gallup, Coral Reefs, Ocean

March 16th | Adult Art Workshop - Natural Perfume-Making: Forests & Florals

SUNDAY, MARCH 16TH, 2025 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Artisan Perfumer Susan Farber for an adult art workshop on Sunday, March 16th 2025 from 1:00PM- 4:00PM, creating unique and nature-based scents inspired by forests & florals of California. All participants will take home a custom-made fragrance and guide on the procurement process.

March 8th | Artist Meet-and-Greet & Book Signing with William Neill

SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH, 2025 / 3:00 PM– 5:00 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

In celebration of the opening day for “Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone” photography exhibition, William Neill will be at CalNAM on Saturday, March 8th 2025 from 3:00PM-5:00PM for a free artist meet-and-greet and book singing.

Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone

March 8, 2025 - September 1, 2025

Members-Only Artist Reception: Sunday, March 9th, 2025 (3PM-5PM)

First-Floor Wildling Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to present Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone, a solo exhibition by award-winning nature and landscape photographer William Neill, coming to our first-floor gallery March 2025.

Featuring more than 40 photographs and spanning over 41 years (1982-2023), this magnificent exhibition showcases Neill’s extensive and longstanding dedication to the beauty of one of California’s first National Parks, celebrating everything from its grand vistas to the tiniest and most intimate details.

February 23rd | Adult Art Workshop - King Tides Wave Sculptures at the Museum, with Community Clayworks

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD, 2025 | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Community Clayworks for an art workshop on Sunday, February 23rd 2025 from 3:00PM- 5:00PM, creating wave sculptures in celebration of this winter’s king tides. Participants will learn to sculpt a cresting wave and paint their pieces with colorful underglazes. After firing and clear glazing, completed pieces will be available for pick up in-person at the Museum or can be shipped by request (for an additional fee).

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzFebruary 24, 2025Community Clayworks, Workshop, Art Class, Coral Reefs, Ocean, Waves

April 13th | Adult Art Workshop - Natural Perfume-Making: Forests & Florals #2

SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2025 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Artisan Perfumer Susan Farber for an adult art workshop on Sunday, April 13th 2025 from 1:00PM- 4:00PM, creating unique and nature-based scents inspired by forests & florals of California. All participants will take home a custom-made fragrance and guide on the procurement process.

Upcoming Programs/EventsRachel MetzFebruary 24, 2025Workshop, Art Class, Susan Farber, Perfume, Sol Aromatics, Essential Oils

May 4th | Spring Fundraiser: 25th Anniversary Celebration

SUNDAY, MAY 4TH, 2025 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

At the Vincent Vineyards (2370 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460)

Tickets are on sale now! Join us for our biggest bash of the year - the annual Spring Fundraiser, this year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Don't miss out on a beautiful afternoon filled with spring-fresh food & beverages, award-winning wines, live music & auction, live artist demonstration, award presentations, and of course, a unique chance to support our mission to inspire stewardship of nature through art and education.

Upcoming Programs/EventsRachel MetzFebruary 24, 2025Brunch, Fundraiser, Wilderness Spirit Award, 25th Anniversary

June 8th | Earth Pigments & Natural Paints Workshop with Mona Lewis

SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2025 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Artist Mona Lewis for an art workshop on Sunday, June 8th, 2025, from 1:00PM-3:00 PM, making and using earth pigments, colors collected from the local natural landscape. Participants will learn how to identify rocks suitable for paint, best practices for collecting respectfully, make their own paints using a mortar and pestle, and use their pigments to paint an image of their choice.

Upcoming Programs/EventsRachel MetzFebruary 24, 2025Workshop, Art Class, Mona Lewis, Earth Pigments, Natural Paints

June 29th | Guided Kayak Tour - Santa Barbara Sea Lions and Stearns Wharf

SUNDAY, JUNE 29TH, 2025 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM

At 117 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a guided kayak tour in and around the Santa Barbara Harbor. On this beginner-friendly tour, participants will learn about coastal and marine life around Santa Barbara, visit spots frequented by sea lions, harbor seals, brown pelicans, and various intertidal species, and view Stearns Wharf from a beautiful lesser-seen perspective on the water.

Upcoming Programs/EventsRachel MetzFebruary 24, 2025Coral Reefs, Ocean, Kayaking, Paddle Sports, Santa

July 6th | Nature Journaling at Gaviota State Beach

SUNDAY, JULY 6TH, 2025 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM

At Gaviota State Beach with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a nature journaling session at Gaviota State Park Beach.

This program will include a short introduction to nature journaling, a group warm-up activity, and an invitation to either walk on the the beach and look for shells, driftwood, algae, and intertidal life, or examine recent coastal findings at the CalNAM artists 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 MetzFebruary 24, 2025Community Clayworks, Workshop, Art Class, Coral Reefs, Ocean, Waves

August 10th | Free Admission: End-of-Summer Family Day

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10TH, 2025 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a free-admission, end-of-summer Family Day on Sunday, August 10th 2025, from 10AM – 3PM. This annual event invites visitors to bring the whole family and enjoy free admission to the Museum, and participate in a variety of art-and-nature inspired activities.

September 26th - 28th | Santa Rosa Island, 2-Night Stay at the SRI Research Station

FRI. SEPTEMBER 26TH - SUN. SEPTEMBER 28TH

At the research station on Santa Rosa Island, with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a two-night trip to Santa Rosa Island on Friday, September 26th 2025 - Sunday, September 28th 2025. Guests will be staying in the dorms at the research station on the island, 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, and tidepooling.

Lulu Hyggelig: California's First Permanent Thomas Dambo Troll

February 2, 2025 - January 31, 2035

Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to present Thomas Dambo’s first permanent troll in California. Thomas Dambo is an internationally renowned Danish artist and recycling activist who is celebrated for his imaginative and colossal sculptures made from recycled materials. Specializing in creating enchanting wooden trolls, Thomas Dambo breathes new life into discarded resources, showcasing the boundless potential hidden within our world’s trash cans.

Current ExhibitsRuben MislangFebruary 2, 2025Thomas Dambo

January 30th | Artist Talk: Thomas Dambo

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2025 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM

At Veterans Memorial Hall - Solvang

Join the California Nature Art Museum & the Thomas Dambo team at Veterans Memorial Hall - Solvang on Thursday, January 30th 2025 from 6:00PM- 8:00PM, for an inspirational and educational Artist Talk after the construction of our new permanent troll exhibition.

Attendees will hear the story behind the trail of trolls located all around the world, learn a little bit about the construction of the latest troll, and discover the mission and purpose behind Dambo's recycled art.

This artist talk is FREE to the public, but advance registration is required.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzJanuary 30, 2025Community Clayworks, Workshop, Art Class, Coral Reefs, Ocean, Waves

January 12th | King Tides Tidepooling Walk at Gaviota State Beach

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12TH, 2025 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM

At Gaviota State Beach with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a tidepooling walk at Gaviota State Beach on Sunday, January 12th 2025 from 2:00PM- 4:00PM, searching for intertidal creatures that will be visible due to the extra low “King Tides.” Participants can expect to see species such as ochre stars, gooseneck barnacles, sunburst anemones, and shore crabs, and maybe - if the group is really lucky! - small fish or an octopus!

Free for members and children, $10 for non-member adults.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzJanuary 12, 2025Community Clayworks, Workshop, Art Class, Coral Reefs, Ocean, Waves

January 3rd | Kid Craft Art Workshop - Coastal Art & Poetry Contest Submissions, Creating Together

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 2025 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a Kid Craft art workshop on Friday, January 3rd 2025 from 11:00AM- 1:00PM, creating artwork for submission to the California Coastal Commission’s annual K-12 Art & Poetry Contest. Students will be provided with paper, graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, watercolors, brushes, construction paper, glue, and crayons. While the workshop will be primarily self-led, CalNAM staff and volunteers will be available for support at all times.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzJanuary 3, 2025Kid Craft, Kids, Workshop, Community Clayworks, Art Class, Coral Reefs

December 8th | Adult Art Workshop - Winter Gourd Workshop, Painting & Weaving

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 2024 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Artist Kathy Badrak for an art workshop on Sunday, December 8th 2024 from 10:00AM- 2:00PM, creating colorful, natural bowls out of gourds. Participants will paint their gourds with alcohol ink and learn to weave a rim on the gourd using a variety of botanical materials.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzDecember 8, 2024Workshop, Art Class, Kathy Badrak, Gourds

December 1st | Holiday Marketplace

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST, 2024 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum for our 13th Annual Holiday Marketplace on Sunday, December 1st 2024, from 10AM – 4PM. This free admission day invites visitors to enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping featuring talented local artisans and unique gifts that celebrate nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Plus, browse prints and books by select artists on view in the current exhibitions, which will also be free to enjoy. This event will also include a free family-friendly papercraft activity from 10AM-12PM!

November 24th | Kid Craft Art Workshop - Sea Star Sushi Plates at the Museum, with Community Clayworks

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, 2024 | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

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

Join the California Nature Art Museum & Community Clayworks for an art workshop at the Museum, creating sea star sushi plates (can be used for other scrumptious somethings!). Students will create their very own sea star with bumps, knobs, and unique lines and patters, and then paint their pieces with colorful underglazes. After firing and clear glazing, completed pieces will be available for pick up in-person at the Museum or can be shipped by request (for an additional fee).

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzNovember 24, 2024Kid Craft, Kids, Workshop, Community Clayworks, Art Class, Coral Reefs

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