Santa Barbara Visual Arts Blog

Posted by Jennifer W. Miner Sep 27, 2006

Santa Barbara is one of my favorite mid-sized towns in America. From questionable bars and tattoo parlors, to full service day spas and fancy upscale shops, SB's charming town proper has something for everyone. A wide selection of great restaurants and a full range of hotel options help make Santa Barbara a perfect weekend getaway. And of course, the warm California sun warms your skin as you stroll on the beach, any time of year.

Now, Santa Barbara is a pretty ritzy and affluent town (anyone who ever sneaked a peek at that old self-named soap opera knows what I mean), but that doesn't mean there's no room left in SB for the fine arts. In fact, the philanthropy of some of Santa Barbara's wealthy residents has enriched the town's museums, art galleries, studios and other art venues: There's an impressive amount of quality art, including that of emerging artists. The artistic community is allowed to thrive and flourish here like in few other places in the US.

A new website run by Santa Barbara Visual Arts, a nonprofit organization, is a good resource for tourists and daytrippers looking to enhance their visits to this great town. (Click here) www.sbva.org has a monthly calendar of scheduled art events, and a frequently updated listing of visual art venues. I really like this website, and it's especially useful for newcomers to Santa Barbara; the "Useful Visitor Links" within the website help travelers know how to get around. So, next time you're planning to vacation in Santa Barbara, consider taking a break from all the boating and fishing, massages and luxury shopping. The art in SB is really special and interesting, and it can add to the quality, and memories of, your trip.