June 30 - September 4, 2022

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The Wildling Museum is excited to be exhibiting a selection of climate and community-focused works from Corazón del Pueblo, a cultural and creative arts center based in the Santa Maria Valley.

These works were created in 2021 as part of a collaboration with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Corazón del Pueblo worked with Ethnic & Gender Studies (EGS) teachers to develop and implement a rigorous art project involving students from Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Ernest Righetti High Schools.

Community Exhibits, Past ExhibitRuben MislangSeptember 4, 2022Community, Corazon del Pueblo, Santa Maria

Recent Acquisitions

March 4 - September 4, 2022

Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

The Wildling Museum’s focus is to inspire a conservation ethic by bringing art and nature together through our collection and exhibitions. While the Wildling’s permanent collection includes 145 pieces, the artworks highlighted in Recent Acquisitions represent the newest additions to the collection, all acquired in the last five years. Collectively, they highlight our institution’s efforts to represent art or artists of our region, as well as broader California and its environment.

Past ExhibitRuben MislangSeptember 4, 2022Permanent Collection

August 18th | A Precise Look at Ice with NASA Researchers Denis Felikson and Steven Fons

Join the Wildling Museum on Thursday, August 18th, 4 - 5 p.m. for a special Zoom presentation by NASA researchers Denis Felikson and Steven Fons as they present “A Precise Look at Ice: Measuring the Earth’s Cryosphere with Centimeter Accuracy from Space.”

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangAugust 18, 2022Climate Change, Ice, Fire and Ice

August 14th | Summer Family Day

The Wildling Museum invites the public to attend a free Summer Family Day on Sunday, August 14, 2022, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring the whole family and enjoy free museum admission during event hours, eco glitter tattoos by Parties and Paint by Kate, art activities for all ages, and more.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangAugust 14, 2022Summer Family Day, Open House, Community

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.

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.

June 5th | Join us for Brunch al Fresco!

Mark your calendars! We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Alisal Ranch Adobe for Brunch al Fresco on June 5, 2022, complete with our famous Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar, a special live auction, and the presentation of our 2022 Wilderness Spirit Award.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangJune 5, 2022Brunch, Fundraiser

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.

May 15th | Nic Stover Photography Critique & Image Review Workshop

Join Central Coast professional landscape and nature photographer Nic Stover for an in-person workshop at the Wildling Museum on Sunday, May 15, 2022, 2 – 4:30 p.m designed for photographers of all skill levels looking to improve their editing skills and take their work to the next level.

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.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangApril 23, 2022Poetry, Earth Day, Climate Change, Community

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.

Past ExhibitRuben MislangMarch 20, 2022Ansel Adams, Alan Ross, Photography, Landscape Photography

Meet the Artist | Alan Ross in the Wildling Galleries

Join us for the final day of Sharing the Light: Ansel Adams & Alan Ross on Sunday, March 20th and meet the artist behind the work! Internationally acclaimed photographer Alan Ross will be in the Wildling galleries from 2 - 5 p.m. to chat with visitors and share stories behind the works on view.

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.

Past ExhibitRuben MislangFebruary 28, 2022Claudia Borfiga, Karen Schroeder, Sara Woodburn, Printmaking

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.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangFebruary 20, 2022Alan Ross, Ansel Adams, Virtual, Lecture, Digital Programming

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.

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.

Community Exhibits, Past ExhibitRuben MislangJanuary 17, 2022Sewjourners, Quilting, Textile Arts

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.

Community Exhibits, Past ExhibitRuben MislangDecember 31, 2021Solvang School, Birding, John James Audubon

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.

Community Exhibits, Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 13, 2021Kiana Beckmen, Public Art, Window Art

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.

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 12, 2021Michael Miner, Photography, Lecture

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!

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangDecember 5, 2021Holiday Marketplace, Holidays

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