October 20th | Dan Gerber: The End of Michelangelo

Join the Wildling Museum for a special poetry reading on Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 - 7 p.m. by Santa Ynez Valley-based poet Dan Gerber as we celebrate the release of his new collection, The End of Michelangelo.

Reading the poetry of Dan Gerber, we are summoned to this larger truth: Though we live in fraught times, on the tipping point of human self-destruction, we and our planet are still very much alive. General admission is $10.00. Current Wildling Museum member admission is $5.00. Seating is limited - advance registration is highly encouraged.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangOctober 20, 2022Poetry, Spoken Word, Daniel Gerber, Dan Gerber

September 15th | The Magnitude of the Problem: Wildfire in Beloved Places

Join us via Zoom on Thursday, September 15th, 4 - 5 p.m. for a virtual presentation with Suze Woolf, artist, and Lorena Williams, author and former wildland firefighter, as they discuss their work featured in the Wildling’s current exhibition, Fire & Ice: Our Changing Landscape, and wildfire in general.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangSeptember 15, 2022Climate Change, Fire and Ice, Forest Fires, Lorena Williams, Suze Woolf

August 18th | A Precise Look at Ice with NASA Researchers Denis Felikson and Steven Fons

Join the Wildling Museum on Thursday, August 18th, 4 - 5 p.m. for a special Zoom presentation by NASA researchers Denis Felikson and Steven Fons as they present “A Precise Look at Ice: Measuring the Earth’s Cryosphere with Centimeter Accuracy from Space.”

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangAugust 18, 2022Climate Change, Ice, Fire and Ice

August 14th | Summer Family Day

The Wildling Museum invites the public to attend a free Summer Family Day on Sunday, August 14, 2022, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring the whole family and enjoy free museum admission during event hours, eco glitter tattoos by Parties and Paint by Kate, art activities for all ages, and more.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangAugust 14, 2022Summer Family Day, Open House, Community

Featured Local Artist | Debbie MacInnis

Enjoy new eco-printed and natural material artworks created by Santa Barbara-based artist Debbie MacInnis in the Wildling Museum Store from August 2022 - January 2023!

More than 15 framed eco-prints and cacti artworks are now available, along with a variety of eco-printed scarves, greeting cards, and mousepads. Explore works in person during your next visit, or browse available inventory in our online store.

June 15th | Following Fire: Documenting a Forest's Uncertain Future

Join the Wildling Museum on Wednesday, June 15, 5 - 6 p.m. for a special Zoom presentation by current exhibiting photographer David Paul Bayles and ecosystem scientist Fred Swanson as they share more about their work together, which weaves a complex story of forest resilience – retention of carbon, nutrients, and abundant life – countered by the challenges posed by a legacy of land use in an age of climate uncertainty.

June 5th | Join us for Brunch al Fresco!

Mark your calendars! We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Alisal Ranch Adobe for Brunch al Fresco on June 5, 2022, complete with our famous Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar, a special live auction, and the presentation of our 2022 Wilderness Spirit Award.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangJune 5, 2022Brunch, Fundraiser

Spring - Summer Featured Local Artist | Holly Hungett

This spring and summer, enjoy new plein air works by featured local Santa Barbara-based artist Holly Hungett in the Wildling Museum Store! More than 15 framed paintings showcasing local coastlines, landscapes, and skylines are now available. Explore works in person or view available inventory in our online store.

Join us for a special meet and greet with Holly Hungett on Sunday, May 22 from 2 - 4 p.m., where she'll be at the Wildling Store to share more about her work.

May 15th | Nic Stover Photography Critique & Image Review Workshop

Join Central Coast professional landscape and nature photographer Nic Stover for an in-person workshop at the Wildling Museum on Sunday, May 15, 2022, 2 – 4:30 p.m designed for photographers of all skill levels looking to improve their editing skills and take their work to the next level.

Poetry Competition | Climate Change: Our Impact

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce its 2022 poetry competition, Climate Change: Our Impact. The competition is a celebration of Earth Day, and will culminate in a celebration hosted by Community Environmental Council (CEC) taking place on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. This competition is intended to highlight the importance of standing up to protect the planet’s dwindling natural resources and working against the threats of climate change.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangApril 23, 2022Poetry, Earth Day, Climate Change, Community

Meet the Artist | Alan Ross in the Wildling Galleries

Join us for the final day of Sharing the Light: Ansel Adams & Alan Ross on Sunday, March 20th and meet the artist behind the work! Internationally acclaimed photographer Alan Ross will be in the Wildling galleries from 2 - 5 p.m. to chat with visitors and share stories behind the works on view.

February 20th | Ansel Adams: The Man Behind the Camera

Join us for a special virtual program in honor of Ansel Adams on what would have been the iconic photographer’s 120th birthday. The public is invited to tune in to Ansel Adams: The Man Behind the Camera on Sunday, February 20, 2 – 3 p.m. via Zoom for an insightful presentation by photographer Alan Ross, Ansel Adams’ friend and former assistant.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangFebruary 20, 2022Alan Ross, Ansel Adams, Virtual, Lecture, Digital Programming

March 6th | Florencia Ramirez: Eat Less Water

The Wildling is thrilled to host Florencia Ramirez, author of Eat Less Water, for a special presentation and conversation with Steve Beckmen, the winemaker behind Beckmen Vineyards, at the Museum on Sunday, March 6, 2022, 3 p.m. as the Wildling Museum kicks off a year of climate-focused exhibitions and programming.

Following the program will be a book signing and environmental pop-up shop curated by Ramirez, along with a biodynamic wine tasting by Beckmen Vineyards for attendees.

Winter Wonder: Four Faces of Grass Mountain | Window Installation by Kiana Beckmen

The Wildling Museum is thrilled to announce its new window art installation, Winter Wonder: Four Faces of Grass Mountain by artist Kiana Beckmen. The public is invited to enjoy the ongoing installation from Mission Drive, which is visible from the sidewalk all days of the week and illuminated at night.

Community Exhibits, Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 13, 2021Kiana Beckmen, Public Art, Window Art

December 12th | Michael Miner: The Craft & Art of Large Format Landscape Photography

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce an upcoming presentation with photographer Michael Miner on Sunday, December 12, 2021, 2-3:30 p.m. Miner’s demonstration and lecture will explore the art, craft, and technical aspects of large format black and white landscape photography.

The event marks the museum’s first in-person event since early 2020 and seating will be limited.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 12, 2021Michael Miner, Photography, Lecture

December 5th | Holiday Marketplace

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Wildling’s annual Holiday Marketplace on Sunday, December 5, 2021, featuring beautiful unique handmade gifts by local artisans.

Woodworker Gabriel Bustamante, jewelry artist Anne Miller, copper artist Gretchen Foran, and glass artist Joellen Chrones will all be here with greatly expanded offerings than what we have in the store; and newcomer Lou Ann Smith will be selling her gorgeous pottery. Mark your calendars for this not-to-be-missed shopping event!

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 5, 2021Holiday Marketplace, Holidays

2021 Virtual Fall Fundraiser

Our Fall Fundraiser is back! Mark your calendars and tune in on Sunday, November 7 at 4 p.m. for another exciting evening filled with unique silent and live auction items, fun video content, the debut of our new documentary short, surprise guests, and more!

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangNovember 7, 2021Fundraiser, Virtual, Silent Auction, Live Auction

Bio/Mass: Summer Artist Talk Series

The Wildling's three-part series, Bio/Mass: Summer Artist Talks, will highlight six artists from the Wildling’s current exhibition, Bio/Mass: Contemporary Meditations on Nature, in conversation with one another – Karen Kitchel and Catherine Eaton Skinner, Scott Chatenever and Dorothy Churchill-Johnson, and Maria Rendón and Sommer Roman.

Register to attend online discussions with the artists on Tuesday, July 20; Tuesday, August 24; and Wednesday, September 1.

August 29th | Summer Open House

Mark your calendars! We're excited to welcome you to the Wildling's Summer Open House on Sunday, August 29, 2 - 6 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy free museum admission during event hours, a princess visit by Parties and Paint by Kate, activities, and more! We’ll also be hosting a food truck in our parking lot, so stick around for dinner.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangAugust 29, 2021Open House, Solvang, Community, Community Event

Plein Air Painting Weekend with Libby Smith and Kevin Gleason

Visit the Wildling for a Plein Air Painting Weekend with artists Kevin Gleason and Libby Smith taking place Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Inspiring visitors to get outdoors is at the heart of the Wildling Museum’s current Valley Oak Gallery exhibition, Art from the Trail: Exploring the Natural Beauty of Santa Barbara County. Libby Smith and Kevin Gleason are among the 27 local artists featured in the show, which celebrates the outdoor treasures of the Central Coast. The two artists will be bringing their talents to the museum for live painting demonstrations, providing visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at how artists bring outdoor inspiration to the canvas.

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