New Name, New Era, New Programs, New Exhibits, New Opportunities

The Wildling Museum is now the California Nature Art Museum

By Joni Kelly, CNAM, Special to VOICE

SINCE IT OPENED ITS DOORS IN 2000, THE WILDLING MUSEUM HAS SHARED THE BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL WORLD by showcasing a vast array of artists and their unique place in nature conservation. Originally founded by local artist Patti Jacquemain, the Museum has grown and changed impressively over the years; yet, two things remain consistent – its mission and vision.

The Museum’s mission is to inspire stewardship of nature through art and education and its vision is to be exceptional and inclusive leaders in inspiring our diverse communities and visitors to value nature through the vision of artists. The Museum collaborates with partners for the benefit of our region.

As the Museum entered its 24th year, it was time to refresh the organization’s image and name. To match its continuing success and growth, the Museum needed a name that was direct and intuitive, while still adhering to the original vision of its founder. After more than a year of planning, the Board of Directors and staff announced the launch of the California Nature Art Museum in January 2024. Continuing to honor their founding legacy, the first-floor exhibition space has been renamed “The Wildling Gallery.”

“This is a very exciting time for our organization as we look forward to the future as the California Nature Art Museum,” said Stacey Otte-Demangate, Executive Director. “And the exhibits and educational programs we offer reinforce that, allowing our community and visitors to experience the beauty of art, and the nature all around us which inspires it.”

It’s a new name and a new era.

The California Nature Art Museum (www.calnatureartmuseum.org) showcases complex issues of conservation and environmental science through art, specifically focusing on the amazing beauty and diversity of The Golden State. Using art to connect people to nature is an impactful way to touch hearts and minds. Never has nature been more challenged than it is right now, and expanding the Museum’s reach is paramount towards building a sustainable future for us all. In response, the Museum is also demonstrating a renewed effort in community education and outreach, offering a wide variety of public programs between now and September 2024 and beyond. The Museum is part of Museums for All, offering free admission to individuals and families on the food assistance/ SNAP program and always gives free admission to children 17 and younger. School classroom tours are also provided for free to teachers.

Current Exhibits & Upcoming Events

At present, many of the upcoming programs dovetail with the Museum’s newest exhibition, The Birds and the Bees and More: Pollinators.

Featuring original art by Ava Roth, Elizabeth Weber, Susan McDonnell, Cynthia James, Sara Woodburn, and John Gould, this collection of pieces boasts a breadth of perspectives on our county’s pollinators. Also included are twelve high-resolution images of rare, local bees provided by the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration at UCSB and actual, preserved bee specimens to accompany them. Visitors can learn more about the selected species of native bees (including the Channel Islands leafcutter bee, which is endemic to Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Island) not only by visiting the first-floor gallery and reading the interpretive labels, but also by picking up one of the provided magnifying glasses to take a closer look!

the Museum’s newest publication of the same name. The coffee table quality hardcover book includes over 140 stunning photographs that capture George Rose’s expansive documentation of California’s complicated and dramatic water story and can be purchased on the Museum’s website for $38.98, with Museum members getting a 15 percent discount!

Additionally, the second-floor Valley Oak Gallery hosts a solo exhibition by renowned photographer

George Rose which features more than 20 large-format inkjet photographs of the Golden State. Visit California’s Changing Landscape: The Way of Water now through July 8th, or marvel at these photos (and more) with www.calnatureartmuseum.org

If you are looking to support the California Nature Art Museum beyond purchasing a book or planning your next visit, you may also consider buying a ticket to their upcoming annual Wilderness Spirit Award Brunch which will be held at the Santa Ynez Marriott in Buellton on Sunday, May 19th, from 11am to 1:30pm. This year’s much-anticipated affair will be a morning filled with can’t-miss auction items, live artist demonstrations, wine pull, incredible food and drink, and of course, a unique chance to support the Museum’s mission. This year, the event honors the Community Environmental Council (CEC) with the Wilderness Spirit Award, as well as the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians with a new Sustainability Award. The Wilderness Spirit Award Brunch is the Museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and tickets are on sale now.

The California Nature Art Museum is open weekdays 11am4pm (except Tuesday and Wednesday) and weekends 10am-5pm, and is a non-profit supported by the generosity of its sponsors and members.