March 10th | Lecture: “Attracting Pollinators to the California Native Landscape; An Introduction to Pollination Ecology” with Richard Merrill
March 10th | Lecture: “Attracting Pollinators to the California Native Landscape; An Introduction to Pollination Ecology” with Richard Merrill

SUN. MARCH 10TH, 2024 / 3:00 PM– 4:30 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum), Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

While the topic of pollination in Santa Barbara County is both engrossing and essential, few are familiar with the actual processes of the phenomenon and the major pollinators behind it: bees, of course, but also hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and beneficial insects.

Join us for an inspirational and educational lecture with Richard Merrill at the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum) in the First Floor Wildling Gallery.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangCalifornia Nature Art MusuemLecture, Richard Merrill
The Birds and the Bees and More: Pollinators
The Birds and the Bees and More: Pollinators

March 2, 2024 – September 2, 2024

First-Floor Wildling Gallery

We are excited to bring the important topic of pollinators to our California Nature Art Museum gallery featuring original art by Ava Roth, Elizabeth Weber, Susan McDonnell, Cynthia James, Sara Woodburn, and John Gould. Each artist brings a unique perspective to their pollinating subjects.

We are delighted to also be collaborating with the Cheadle Center For Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration at UC Santa Barbara. The Cheadle Center's contribution is focused on native bees, including high-resolution images of rare, local bees from the UCSB Natural History Collection and images of bees visiting flowers of native plants for an up-close look at their beauty and biodiversity.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangCalifornia Nature Art MusuemPollinators, Ava Roth, Elizabeth Weber, Susan McDonnel, Cheadle Center, Cynthia James, John Gould, Sara Woodburn
February 13th | CalNAM Sponsored Trivia Night
February 13th | CalNAM Sponsored Trivia Night

Headgames Trivia at Fig Mountain Brewing Co. Buellton | Bonus Round on California National Parks, Sponsored by the California Nature Art Museum

TUES. FEBRUARY 13, 2024 / 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
45 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427 | Second Floor

On February 13th 2024, the Museum will be sponsoring a bonus round of trivia on National Parks in California in celebration of the last week of our juried show, "California National Parks: Stories of Water."

Join us for a night of colorful competition, fun and food as we test your knowledge of some of the most beautiful natural spaces in our golden state. Our sponsored bonus round will include two free gifts from the Museum gift store, and will not affect players' overall trivia score.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben Mislangtrivia night, National Parks, Fig Mountain Brewing, Headgames Trivia, California National Parks
January 26th | Lecture & Book Signing: "Paddling Into a Natural Balance: "Stories of Kayaking & Conservation Around Channel Islands National Park" by Chuck Graham
January 26th | Lecture & Book Signing: "Paddling Into a Natural Balance: "Stories of Kayaking & Conservation Around Channel Islands National Park" by Chuck Graham

Chuck Graham’s Paddling Into a Natural Balance: Stories of Kayaking & Conservation Around Channel Islands National Park

FRI. JANUARY 26TH, 2024 / 4:30 PM–6:00 PM 

Ten chapters and 170 photographs vividly describe conservation efforts observed from Chuck Graham’s kayak. In February 2021, after photographing a bald eagle on the cliffs surrounding Scorpion Anchorage, Graham was inspired to create this pertinent and breathtaking ode to Channel Islands National Park.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangArtist Talk, photography, Chuck Graham
California's Changing Landscape: The Way of Water | George Rose
California's Changing Landscape: The Way of Water | George Rose

November 18, 2023 - July 8, 2024

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to host California’s Changing Landscape: The Way of Water, a solo exhibition by renowned photographer George Rose on view November 18, 2023 through July 8, 2024.

Featuring more than 20 large-format documentary inkjet photographs of the Golden State, the exhibition showcases Rose’s recent expansive documentation of California's dramatic water story. His vast exploration of the state and its fraught relationship with water will culminate with the release of his forthcoming book of the same title, now available on our website and in the Museum gift shop.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangGeorge Rose, Photography, Landscape Photography, California, Drought
Mara Abboud: Visions of Beauty
Mara Abboud: Visions of Beauty

October 21 - November 12, 2023

Reception: Sunday, October 22, 2023, 2 - 4:30 p.m.

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The Wildling Museum is pleased to partner with award-winning artist Mara Abboud in presenting Mara Abboud: Visions of Beauty, an exhibition and fundraiser supporting the Wildling on view from October 21 - November 12, 2023 in the Valley Oak Gallery. 

Abboud has received international recognition for her brilliant innovation and unusual painting technique, working with acrylics on canvas and silk. Her painting style is uniquely her own, interweaving a palette of spectacular colors with fantasy designs, achieving a jewel-like tapestry effect reminiscent of tiles and stained glass.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangMara Abbourd, Fundraiser
October 14th | Upcycling Art Workshop with Elizabeth Criss
October 14th | Upcycling Art Workshop with Elizabeth Criss

CANCELLED
Join us at The Wildling Museum on Saturday, October 14th, 1 – 3 p.m. for a memorable afternoon with exhibiting artist Elizabeth Criss, whose work is currently featured in Message in a Bottle in the Michele Kuelbs Tower Gallery. Criss will guide attendees in an upcycling art workshop transforming household plastic discards into an eco-friendly fridge fishscape inspired by her own underwater creations on view at the Museum.

Workshop participants will make two (or more!) of their own magnetic fish to take home, along with newfound skills to turn old plastics into artworks of their own creation.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangElizabeth Criss, Workshop, Art Class
California National Parks: Stories of Water
California National Parks: Stories of Water

September 23, 2023 - February 19, 2024

First Floor Main Gallery

The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to announce its third juried exhibition – California National Parks: Stories of Water – a showcase of fine art inspired by the nine National Parks located within the state of California. This exhibition will be on view September 23, 2023 – February 19, 2024 at the California Nature Art Museum.

The goal of this exhibition is to bring awareness to the wealth of national parks to be found in California as well as the various forms of water that can be found in them, or evidence of a lack of water. Lakes, waterfalls, dew, rain, and fog are just some of the ways water makes its mark throughout these parks. And the impacts of a lack of water are equally important, as persistent drought is a major issue in California.

Cash prizes for first, second, and third place will be awarded at the opening reception to be held Sunday, September 24, 2023, 3 – 5 p.m. The exhibition will be juried by Nathan Vonk, owner of Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery in Santa Barbara, California.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangNational Parks, California, California National Parks, Competition
Bird's Eye View: Four Perspectives
Bird's Eye View: Four Perspectives

March 18 - September 4, 2023

Reception: Sunday, March 19th, 3 - 5 p.m.

First Floor Main Gallery

The Wildling Museum is pleased to announce its upcoming 2023 spring exhibition, Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives, on view from March 18 - September 4, 2023, featuring new and recent works by artists Chris Maynard, David Tomb, Shae Warnick, and Chester Wilcox. The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 3 – 5 p.m. at The Wildling Museum.

People live among more than an estimated 10,000 bird species worldwide. These animals uniquely inform the works of the four artists featured in this exhibition. Realistic wood carvings by Chester Wilcox, intricately shaped and carved feathers by Chris Maynard, a hand-crafted fabric bird doll aviary by Shae Warnick, and an immersive wetland environment installation by David Tomb all express the magic, mystery, and incredible diversity of the avian world.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangBirds, Chris Maynard, David Tomb, Shae Warnick, Chet Wilcox
August 17th | Shae Warnick Virtual Artist Talk
August 17th | Shae Warnick Virtual Artist Talk

Join The Wildling Museum on Thursday, August 17th, 4 - 5 p.m. for a special Zoom presentation by exhibiting artist Shae Warnick, one of four artists featured in Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives, currently on view at the California Nature Art Museum through September 4, 2023. Warnick will provide an inside look into her process and share more about her incredible work on view at the California Nature Art Museum, Aviary of the Reverend William J. Long, which features 260 stuffed bird dolls created by Warnick.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangBirds, Artist Talk, Shae Warnick
Selections from the Permanent Collection: California National Parks
Selections from the Permanent Collection: California National Parks

July 13, 2023 - Ongoing

Third-Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

The California Nature Art Museum has a small permanent art collection with works that illustrate different elements of nature. California’s national parks are a rich source of inspiration for artists of the past and present. From the dramatic peaks and waterfalls of Yosemite to the shadowy dunes of Death Valley, there is no shortage of natural wonders to explore in the Golden State.

In the selection of works on display in the George and Barbara Goodall Education Center, visitors are invited to explore seven artists' perspectives of Yosemite, Death Valley, and the Channel Islands, three of the nine majestic national parks within California.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangNational Parks, California National Parks, California, Permanent Collection
June 29th | Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens’ Success Story
June 29th | Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens’ Success Story

Join us for an evening talk by historic preservationist Lansing Duncan who will present a free lecture, “Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens' Success Story” on Thursday, June 29th, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Tipton House, located at the UC Sedgwick Reserve.

His illustrated lecture will chronicle the fascinating and often-overlooked story of how local conservationists, university professors, artists, and others united in a grassroots effort to ensure that the entire Sedgwick Ranch became part of the University of California’s Natural Reserve System.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangLansing Duncan, Sedgwick Reserve, Sedgwick
June 1st | Bringing Back Our Wetland: Community Film Screening & Panel Discussion
June 1st | Bringing Back Our Wetland: Community Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Learn how UC Santa Barbara, alongside a community of visionary environmentalists, restored a former Goleta golf course back into a wetland.

The UCSB Affiliates and the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity & Ecological Restoration present a FREE community screening of Bringing Back Our Wetland on Thursday, June 1st at 7 p.m. at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. The 65-minute documentary captures a decade-long project to restore the upper Devereux Slough in Goleta to its natural state.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangBringing Back Our Wetland, Film, Screening, UCSB, Michael Love, Lisa Stratton, Environmental Alliance of Santa Barbara County Museums
May 21st | Wilderness Spirit Brunch Honoring Beth Pratt
May 21st | Wilderness Spirit Brunch Honoring Beth Pratt

Mark your calendars! We look forward to welcoming you to the Craft House at Corque for our Wilderness Spirit Brunch honoring wildlife activist Beth Pratt on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Our famous Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar will be back, along with all your favorite brunch fixings. Look forward to a special live auction and the presentation of our 2023 Wilderness Spirit Award.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangBrunch, Fundraiser
May 3rd | Chris Maynard: The Art of Feather Carving
May 3rd | Chris Maynard: The Art of Feather Carving

Join the The Wildling Museum on Wednesday, May 3rd, 4 - 5 p.m. for a special Zoom presentation by exhibiting artist Chris Maynard, one of four artists featured in Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives, currently on view at the Wildling through September 4, 2023. Maynard will provide an inside look into his process and allow attendees to further explore his intricate feather carvings that both inspire and mystify.

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Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangChris Maynard, Birds, Feathers, Artist Talk
Message in a Bottle | Elizabeth Criss
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.

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Past ExhibitRuben MislangTower Gallery, Installation, Elizabeth Criss, Sari Scheer, Ocean