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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sharing the Light: Ansel Adams & Alan Ross

September 25, 2021 - March 20, 2022

First Floor Main Gallery

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is pleased to announce Sharing the Light: Ansel Adams & Alan Ross, on view September 25, 2021 - March 20, 2022 in the Wildling Museum’s main gallery. The exhibition will explore the American West through the lenses of both Ansel Adams and Alan Ross, and also includes selections from Ross’ international photography projects. The Wildling Museum’s exhibition marks the first institutional show dedicated to the two photographers’ works.

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Close to Home, Three Printmakers

October 9, 2021 - February 28, 2022

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The Wildling Museum is pleased to announce its upcoming Valley Oak Gallery exhibition, Close to Home, Three Printmakers, featuring artists Claudia Borfiga, Karen Schroeder, and Sara Woodburn, on view October 9, 2021 - February 28, 2022.

The works of Borfiga, Schroeder, and Woodburn center on a recurring theme of nature as a place of solace and beauty where growth and change can seem intimate or expansive. Layers of color, pattern, and printmaking are the dialogue these artists use to share stories of Earth. They value natural areas and seek to bring inspiration to the viewer.

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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.

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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.

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Sewjourners: TREES

September 25, 2021 - January 17, 2022

Third Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

The Wildling is pleased to host the Sewjourners, a satellite collective of the Coastal Quilters Guild in the Barbara Goodall Education Center from September 25, 2021 - January 17, 2022. This community exhibition marks the Museum’s first textile-focused exhibition and is inspired by the artists’ various interpretations of trees, translating a range of species, textures, and seasonal transitions through the quilt medium.

Many of the quilts on view are also for sale through the Wildling Museum store.

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Solvang School: Bird Studies

May 14 - December 31, 2021

Online Student Exhibition in Collaboration with Solvang School

School field trips were put on pause over the last year, but the Wildling Museum was able to partner with Solvang School to bring art and nature to the virtual classroom. The partnership culminated in a new online student exhibition, Solvang School: Bird Studies, on view online May 14 - December 31, 2021.

Wildling Museum Executive Director Stacey Otte-Demangate worked with educator Erin Dunkle and middle school students enrolled in Solvang School’s Art and Science elective class to explore birding and the art of John James Audubon.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Art from the Trail: Exploring the Natural Beauty of Santa Barbara County

April 17 - October 3, 2021

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

Art from the Trail: Exploring the Natural Beauty of Santa Barbara County celebrates the outdoor treasures of the Central Coast. Local member artists of the Oak Group, SLOPE, and SCAPE were invited by the Wildling to participate in this juried invitational exhibition showcasing the healthful and beautiful trail systems in Santa Barbara County.

A key goal of the exhibition, in partnership with in partnership with Healthy People Healthy Trails and the Santa Barbara County Trails Council, is to raise awareness of the wealth of trails in Santa Barbara County and to inspire visitors and community members to explore them, while encouraging a healthier lifestyle. Trails highlighted in the show range across the county from Carpinteria Bluffs, Goleta’s Lake Los Carneros and Ellwood Mesa, to La Purisima Trail, among others.

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