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

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

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

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

September 24th | CalNAM Sponsored Trivia Night

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2024 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM

At Fig Mountain Brewing Co., 45 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427 | Second Floor

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Headgames Trivia for a special bonus round of trivia on coral reefs in celebration of the opening of our latest exhibition, "A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs." You can expect a night of colorful competition, fun and food as we test your knowledge of one of the most precious and in-need-of-protection places in the ocean. Our sponsored bonus round will include two prizes from the Museum gift store.

A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs

September 14, 2024 - February 24, 2025

First-Floor Wildling Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce its forthcoming exhibition, A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs, featuring new work by artists Nansi Bielanski Gallup and David Gallup.

A Deeper Love offers an artistic examination into some of the ocean’s most vibrant, ecologically productive, and fragile landscapes, worldwide. “While it may be easy for most people to walk outside and appreciate nature in the hills, forests, or meadows where they live, it is much harder to visit a coral reef fifty feet below the surface of the ocean at the edge of civilization,” state Nansi and David. “By sharing what we’ve seen, what we’ve learned, and what has inspired us, we hope to make the world’s coral reefs a little more present in the hearts and minds of our community."

Past ExhibitRuben MislangSeptember 14, 2024Nansi Bielanski Gallup, David Gallup, Coral Reefs, Ocean

Celebrating 25 years: Selections from the CalNAM Permanent Collection

March 22, 2025 - October 13, 2025

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, Nell Campbell, and Museum Founder Patti Jacquemain, as well as a new acquisition by historic California artist John Marshall Gamble.

Upcoming ExhibitsRachel MetzSeptember 3, 2024Nansi Bielanski Gallup, David Gallup, Coral Reefs, Ocean

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