Posts in Upcoming Exhibits
Terra Firma ~ Selected Works from the Permanent Collection
Terra Firma ~ Selected Works from the Permanent Collection

September 28, 2026 - March 28, 2027

First Floor Wildling Gallery

Terra Firma or “solid earth” is a term that grounds us in the natural landscape – both stabilizing and affirming our connection to the land. The California Nature Art Museum permanent collection ranges from engaging oil paintings to sublime photography. Works by artists such as Ray Strong, Meredith Abbott, John Marshall Gamble, and Chris Chapman record some of the natural spaces found in the Santa Ynez Valley, and beyond. This exhibition highlights the iconic landscape works found in the museum’s permanent collection.

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Upcoming ExhibitsRachel MetzCalifornia Nature Art MuseumLandcape Painting, Landscapes, Permanent Collection, Terra Firma, Chris Chapman
All Trails Lead Inward by Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan
All Trails Lead Inward by Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan

October 17, 2026 - April 12, 2027

Third-Floor George & Barbara Goodall Education Center

For artist Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan, California is both her home and her greatest source of inspiration. Sangeetha began exploring the state 15 years ago, and what began as time outdoors to recover from a crippling back injury became a lifelong passion. The natural landscape helped her heal, reshaped her perspective, and eventually led her to become an avid hiker and backpacker.

Every painting in this exhibition begins on the trails of the golden state. Sangeetha paints on location, returning with sketches, color studies, and observations that become the foundation for her larger studio paintings. Rather than capturing a single moment, the paintings are built from many visits and the memories that remain.

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Upcoming ExhibitsRachel MetzCalifornia Nature Art MuseumLandcape Painting, Landscapes, Oil Painting, Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan