Past Programs/Events — News — California Nature Art Museum

Santa Cruz Island, 2-Night Stay at UC Field Station

FRI. OCTOBER 2 - SUN. OCTOBER 4, 2026

At the UC Field Station on Santa Cruz Island, with CalNAM

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a two-night trip to Santa Cruz Island on Friday, October 2nd 2026 - Sunday, October 4th 2026. Guests will be staying in the dorms at the UC Field Station, which cannot typically be accessed by the general public.

Throughout this trip, guests may enjoy fully-included, structured activities such as hiking, species identification, nature journaling, swimming, tidepooling, and travel through the use of the on-island vehicles.

Sip, Science, Art! - Untamed Desert

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026 / 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
At Firestone Walker Brewing Co. - Barrelworks 620 McMurray Rd, Buellton, CA 93427

Learn about the surprising vibrancy that thrives in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the surrounding areas. Paulette Donnellon is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer. She is known for capturing the hidden beauty of desert ecosystems, from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the Salton Sea.

Sip, Science, Art! Enjoy a 60-minute lecture with the opportunity to purchase delicious Firestone Walker apps, entrées, and beverages. Q&A to follow!

August 9 | Free Admission: End-of-Summer Family Day

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

At the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a free-admission, end-of-summer Family Day on Sunday, August 9th 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This annual event invites visitors to participate in a variety of free art and nature inspired activities.

Show your wild side with a face paint design, create your own upcycled art piece, shake paws with dogs and kittens from Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, wonder at a live bee hive with Santa Barbara Hives, and enjoy a nature-inspired assortment of local organization booths.

June 10th | Slow Art Walkthrough & Picnic Lunch

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH, 2026 / 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

A slow art walkthrough is a quiet, meditative experience designed to stretch and challenge the 8-second average viewing time for museum artwork. This guided experience will invite viewers into the benefits of mindfulness, curiosity-based observation, and the intersection of art and nature. The Museum will be closed to the public throughout the duration of the tour, and attendees will receive a staff introduction, optional fill-in art mindfulness guide, and a provided picnic lunch at Hans Christian Andersen Park (customizable lunch order).

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzJune 10, 2026Gallery Tour, Slow Art, Meditation, Yoga, Guided Tour, Lunch, Mindfulness

May 27th | Sip, Science, Art! - Sharks

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH, 2026 / 5:00 PM– 6:30 PM
At Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. 45 Industrial Way Buellton, CA 93427

JAWS - friend or foe? Learn the truth about sharks, and their beauty and importance in healthy ecosystems. Richard Salas specializes in underwater photography. His mission is to take the viewer through a marine biosphere where humanity’s impact is an undeniable force.

Sip, Science, Art! Grab some Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. apps & brews, and enjoy a 60min lecture presented by a local scientist, artist, or nature expert. Q&A to follow!

May 3rd | Lulu Hyggelig's Birthday Party

SUNDAY, MAY 3RD, 2026 | 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Tickets are on sale now! Join us for our biggest bash of the year - Lulu Hyggelig’s Birthday Party!

We will be celebrating one of CalNAM’s biggest and most popular exhibitions yet, Lulu Hyggelig - Troll #154 by world-renowned Danish Artist Thomas Dambo. This event will include a live DJ, exclusive troll photo-ops, raffle prizes, birthday cake, free crafts: birthday card & party hat decorating, appetizers, charcuterie, wine & mocktails, and our first public introduction to the NEW Executive Director!

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzMay 3, 2026Troll, Thomas Dambo, Lulu Hyggelig, Danish, Birthday Party

April 12th | Free Admission: California Poppy Day

SUNDAY, APRIL 12TH, 2026 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Enjoy free admission to CalNAM for California Poppy Day 2026, held annually in celebration of our golden state flower and other native plants. Purchase native plants for your home garden, meet adoptable bunnies & guinea pigs from BUNS, create your own papercraft flower crown, marvel at CA Poppy vintage items & collectibles, enjoy live animals, and secure your free 2026 collectible sticker as one of the first 100 guests!

March 31st | Yoga In the Galleries: Gentle, Restorative, & Nature-Inspired

JANUARY 20TH - MARCH 31ST 2026 | 9:00 AM–10:00 AM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Yoga Instructor Lori Shirran for a gentle, restorative, and nature-inspired yoga class, recurring on Tuesdays at 9AM beginning JANUARY 20TH through March 2026. Nature heals, and so does yoga! In this nature-inspired yoga class, we unite gentle expressions of yoga postures with calm breathing, while weaving in mindful reflection on the awe and wonder of nature. This is a class suited for beginners and all levels of ability.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzMarch 31, 2026Workshop, Yoga, Lori Shirran

March 28th | Book Club: Solvang Library's Magpie Club... at the Museum!

SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH, 2026 / 1:30 PM– 3:00 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

The Magpie Club, organized by Solvang Library, is a group of curious readers of shiny bright things! This Magpie Club meeting will be hosted at CalNAM on Saturday, March 28th at 1:30PM in discussion of books falling under the theme, “healing through nature.” You can choose any book about healing (physical, psychological, spiritual, etc.) through nature/interaction with animals, or choose our suggested title, The Call of the Honeyguide by Rob Dunn.

February 15th | Kid Craft Art Workshop - Animal Portrait Paper Mosaics

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, 2026 | 1:00 PM–3:30 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Artist Katherine Taylor of Poetry Frog for a paper mosaics workshop on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, from 1PM-3:30PM. Katherine will guide attendees through planning and arranging their very own animal portrait with a variety of colorful and patterned paper options. Attendees should either bring an animal photo that they connect with (such as a pet photo), or may choose from one of the provided examples.

January 29th | Adult Art Workshop - Animal Portrait Paper Mosaics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2026 | 9:00 AM–11:30 AM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM and Artist Katherine Taylor of Poetry Frog for a paper mosaics workshop on Thursday, January 29th, 2026, from 9AM-11:30AM. Katherine will guide attendees through planning and arranging their very own animal portrait with a variety of colorful and patterned paper options. Attendees should either bring an animal photo that they connect with (such as a pet photo), or may choose from one of the provided examples.

AUTUMN Series | Yoga In the Galleries: Gentle, Restorative, & Nature-Inspired

SEPTEMBER 2ND - DECEMBER 16TH 2025 | 9:00 AM–10:00 AM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Yoga Instructor Lori Shirran for a gentle, restorative, and nature-inspired yoga class, recurring on Tuesdays at 9AM throughout September 2nd 2025 through DECEMBER 16TH 2025. Nature heals, and so does yoga! In this nature-inspired yoga class, we unite gentle expressions of yoga postures with calm breathing, while weaving in mindful reflection on the awe and wonder of nature. This is a class suited for beginners and all levels of ability.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzDecember 16, 2025Workshop, Yoga, Lori Shirran

December 14th | Art Workshop - Block Print Holiday Cards

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 2025 | 12:30 PM–4:30 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Block Print Artist Angelina LaPointe of Sidecar Press for a printmaking workshop on Sunday, December 14th, 2025, from 12:30PM-4:30 PM. She will guide you through planning, carving, and hand-printing a linoleum block print card, while sharing tips and tricks from her 15+ years of printmaking experience. Leave with a small batch of holiday cards to add a personal touch to your winter holiday celebrations.

December 6th | Artist Reception & Book Signing with Deborah Kalas

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 2025 / 2:30 PM– 4:00 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

In celebration of the opening of “Between Earth and Sky,” a photography exhibition in the 3rd-Floor Goodall Education Center, Deborah Kalas will be at CalNAM on Saturday, December 6th 2025 from 2:30PM-4:00PM for a free artist meet-and-greet, reception, and book singing.

Past Programs/EventsRachel MetzDecember 6, 2025Artist Talk, meet-and-greet, photography, Deborah Kalas, Birds, Birding

November 16th | CalNAM Holiday Marketplace

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join CalNAM for our 14th Annual Holiday Marketplace on Sunday, November 16th 2025, from 10AM – 4PM. This free admission day invites visitors to enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping featuring talented local artisans and unique gifts that celebrate nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Plus, browse prints and books by select artists on view in the current exhibitions, and enjoy a free family-friendly craft activity from 10AM-12PM.

October 26th | Art Workshop - Gyotaku Printmaking: Seashells & Seaweed

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2025 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

At the Hans Christian Andersen Skate Park (633 Chalk Hill Rd Solvang, CA 93463)

Join the California Nature Art Museum and Gyotaku Artist Jason Bero for a gyotaku print-making workshop on Sunday, October 26th 2025 from 1PM-3PM, creating impressions of seaweed, seashells, and other coastal artifacts on rice paper. All participants will take home at least one printed piece, customized based upon their own artifact selections.

October 25th | Book Club: Solvang Library's Magpie Club... at the Museum!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2025 / 3:30 PM– 5:00 PM
At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

The Magpie Club, organized by Solvang Library, is a group of curious readers of shiny bright things! This Magpie Club meeting will be hosted at CalNAM on Saturday, October 25th at 3:30PM in discussion of books falling under the theme, “relationships with the natural world.” You can choose any book about an unusual friendship or encounter between people and nature, or choose from one of our suggested titles.

September 26th - 28th | Santa Rosa Island, 2-Night Stay at the CSU Field Station

FRI. SEPTEMBER 26TH - SUN. SEPTEMBER 28TH

At the research station on Santa Rosa Island, with the California Nature Art Museum

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a two-night trip to Santa Rosa Island on Friday, September 26th 2025 - Sunday, September 28th 2025. Guests will be staying in the dorms at the field station on the island, which cannot typically be accessed by the general public.

Throughout this trip, guests may enjoy fully-included, structured activities such as hiking, species identification, nature journaling, swimming, and tidepooling.

September 20th - 21st | Danish Days Craft: Create Your Own Danish Troll

SAT. SEPTEMBER 20TH - SUN. SEPTEMBER 21ST

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Join the California Nature Art Museum for a free-with-admission Danish Days craft on Saturday, September 20th - Sunday, September 21st 2025 from 11AM-2PM. Create your own Danish troll, and choose from a variety of craft supplies and natural materials such as buttons, yarn, twine, beads, googly eyes, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, sticks, and acorns. Remember, Museum admission for adults is just $5, and children 17yrs and younger are always free!

September 19th | 25th Anniversary Celebration & Patti Jacquemain Artist Reception

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum)

Tickets are on sale now! To recognize and remember the impressive and inspiring history of CalNAM (formerly the Wildling Museum), we are hosting a 25th Anniversary Celebration & Artist Reception to celebrate this milestone year.

At this unforgettable event, we will be celebrating not only the Museum’s silver anniversary, but also the much-anticipated opening of Wild in California, our forthcoming 1st-Floor Wildling Gallery exhibition showcasing classic and recent works by Museum Founder Patti Jacquemain.

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