The Santa Barbara Arts Crafts Show

The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show: Art and inspiration on the beach

Photos and Story by Misty Hall

Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara is about as close to “iconic California” as you can get. Running parallel to the beach, it boasts palm trees and Pacific on one side, and on the other, hotels, restaurants, and shops in Spanish revival-style architecture. The weather is amazing here year-round, and the views from every direction are stunning.

Palm trees line Cabrillo Boulevard, giving the whole experience a classic California feel.

One of the best things about the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show: you can bring your friends, spouses, children, and furchildren! Textures and vibrant colors bring Chuck Walters’s glass wave sculptures to life, especially when viewed in the sun. His work is inspired by the sea and includes fish, paperweights, vases, and more. Isolde Jewelry uses beads and clay to create one-off earrings.

If you find yourself in town on a Sunday, make time for a stroll through the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show. Its 150 artists line Cabrillo in pop-up fashion from 10 am to dusk each Sunday throughout the year (and on Saturdays, too, during holiday weekends). You’ll find art of every kind — paintings, jewelry, clothing, pottery, toys, sculptures, photography, and more — all totally handmade by Santa Barbara artists.

It’s among the oldest shows of its kind in America. Dating back to the mid-1960s, it was inspired by the sidewalk shows of Europe and Mexico City.

The eclectic mix of art and the idyllic setting are lovely, but perhaps the greatest thing about this free weekly show is the fact that visitors can engage with the artists directly. What tools and techniques do they use? How long does it take to make each piece? How the heck did they get into this business, anyway? These sorts of fun, intimate exchanges create much more than just a nice way to work off your lunch.

The culmination of it all has given the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show some serious staying power, in one of the Central Coast’s most beautiful cities.

“Whimsical” is the word that comes to mind when viewing Cris Hamilton’s art. Her delightful women, fairies, and monsters can be found on cards and small pieces, but her specialties are tiny drawings no larger than a dime. There’s a surprising level of detail in her little critters! Michael Beickel has been drawing quick caricatures on the beach for years. Give him five minutes, and he’ll give you a completely unique portrait!

Need a totally unique gift? A place to put your sponge? A cute accessory for your garden beds? A piece of art for your teenage son’s bedroom? The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show has you covered.

Nadereh and David Sugich’s glass kaleidoscopes are beautiful when laying on display, but pick them up and you’ll find a whole universe inside.

Leigh Sparks’s family has been in the Santa Barbara area for generations. Her plein air works highlight the iconic California coastline that has shaped her as a person and as an artist. “I paint to preserve the legacy of this area,” she says. If you miss her on Sundays, check out her work at the Linden Studio in Carpinteria.

Deirdre Stietzel’s graphic drawings — and the poetry that accompanies each piece — are inspired by her meditations. Her metallic pens create shimmering lines that illuminate as the light changes. “They change energy as you move through the day,” she says. Her pieces, and the poetry she includes with each piece, is meant to inspire others’ meditations, healing, and manifestations, and to “open portals to other dimensions.” The organic shapes and calming colors of Staci Curry’s pottery give off distinctive Central Coast vibes. If her Firefly Pottery makes you want to play in the mud yourself, check out Community Clayworks in Buellton, which offers regular classes — including the BYOB Sip-n-Spin class on Saturdays from 7 to 9 pm.

Ca’ Marco Ristorante 1002 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-1048 www.camarcoojai.com

Ca’ Marco has become a hit in Ojai with its inviting atmosphere and delicious authentic Italian dishes. On warm days guests enjoy the patio with views to the back nine of the Soule Park Golf Course. When it chills up they cozy up inside near the fireplace. No matter where you sit, you bask in that sweet spot between fine dining and comfort food that Ca’ Marco has managed to master. The food is prepared to impress, from the fresh bread and dipping sauce brought to the table, to the thoughtfully constituted salads, to the homemade pizza and large, interesting wine list.

Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill 214 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-1301 www.jimandrobsojai.com

Voted Best Burrito & Best Burger in town! Proudly serving locals & visitors for over 21 years! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Veggie, Vegan & G-free items available! Margaritas, Seasonal Cocktails, Craft Beers • Happy Hours 3-6 pm Mon-Fri, Sports on 5 HDTVs! Restaurant open @8am Daily Enjoy a drink on the patio! Cantina open @12pm M-F, 11am S-S

Sakura Ojai Japanese Restaurant 219 E. Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-8777 www.sakuraojai.com

Mon - Thur - 11:30 - 2:30/5:00 - 9:30 • Fri - 11:30 - 2:30/5:00 - 10:00 • Sat - 11:30 - 10:00 • Sun - 11:30 - 9:30 • Sushi, Roll• Vegetarian Dishes • Teppan Yaki (Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken, Beef, Rib Eye Steak) • Soup and Noodles • Salad and More!

Bonnie Lu’s Country Cafe 328 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-0207

Open Daily for Breakfast & Lunch 7am - 2:30pm • Closed Wednesdays We are a charming country cafe serving good fixin’s with a smile! An Ojai favorite classic American diner since 1995. Traditional comfort food including farm-fresh omelets, homemade soups, and hearty sandwiches made with ingredients from local distributors