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

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

October 20th | Short Film Screening: “The Santa Barbara Channel: Three Examinations Into Life Offshore" with Mimi deGruy

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2024 / 2:00 PM– 3:30 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

CANCELLED, due to unforeseen circumstances. A collection of footage taken from three films aired on National Geographic, the BBC, and PBS highlights the importance and untamed beauty of marine life just beyond the coasts of the Channel Islands, and in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Join us for an inspirational and educational short film screening and Q&A with Mimi deGruy in the Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery.

California Coastal Commission: K-12 Coastal Art Contest, '06-'23

September 18, 2024 - February 3rd, 2025

Third-Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

The California Nature Art Museum is excited to host California Coastal Commission: K-12 Coastal Art Contest, with selected pieces spanning 2006-2023.

Every year, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) hosts an art & poetry contest for students in grades K-12, which highlights the unique beauty and importance of the California coast and ocean. In this selection of past winning pieces on display in the George and Barbara Goodall Education Center, visitors are invited to enjoy the artistic visions of twelve student artists from all over the Golden State.

Past ExhibitRachel MetzSeptember 18, 2024California Coastal Commission, Student Art, Kids, Ocean

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

Message in a Bottle | Elizabeth Criss

May 2023 - November 2024

Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce its new 2023 site-specific installation featuring Northridge-based artist Elizabeth Criss, as well as work by glass artist Sari Scheer. Message in a Bottle, designed for the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery, is on view from May 2023 through November 2024. This long-term installation marks the third iteration of the Museum’s tower installation program, which aims to highlight Southern California artists inspired by the environment and provides an indoor-outdoor art experience for Solvang visitors.

Criss’ proposal was selected from the Museum’s 2023 request for artist proposals focusing on environmental impacts on the ocean.

Past ExhibitRuben MislangMay 1, 2023Tower Gallery, Installation, Elizabeth Criss, Sari Scheer, Ocean

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