All exhibitions are free to the public, unless otherwise noted.

Santa Barbara Printmakers, 17th Annual Juried Exhibition
May 24, 2010– Sept. 17, 2010    press release

The Santa Barbara Printmaker’s 17th Annual Juried Exhibition

The Santa Barbara Printmaker’s 17th Annual Juried Exhibition embarks upon an exciting new exhibition in cooperation with the County Arts Commission and the County Art in Public Places Committee, bringing to the Santa Barbara community the opportunity to view and learn about fine art printmaking. All artists throughout California had an opportunity to submit up to three works to be juried for the exhibition, which is on exhibit from May 24 through September 17, 2010, at Channing Peake Gallery, in the County Administration Building, 105 Anapamu St, 1st floor, Santa Barbara, CA.

On Saturday, May 22, ninety-nine artists brought their work to an ingathering at the Peake Gallery from 9:30 – 11:30am. Tim Schiffer, the Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County juried eighty-four prints into the exhibition, representing the best examples of both traditional and innovative printmaking techniques.  Ninety-nine artists entered with two-hundred sixty-two works of art. Artists entered from diverse locations such as Fresno, Morro Bay, Palos Verdes, Cupertino, Newberry Park and Manhattan Beach in addition to the local Santa Barbara area.

The 17th Annual Juried Exhibition will open on 1st Thursday, June 3rd, from 5-8pm, with an awards ceremony at 6pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to artists who were selected by the juror. In addition to 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes; there were four honorable mention awards. Printing mediums included: solar etchings, reductive woodcut, monoprint with chine collé, linocut, etching, drypoint, silkscreen, solar intaglio, polmer photogravure, nature print, and many combinations of all of the above. At the July 1st Thursday, at 5:30pm, the general public will have an opportunity to hear a short talk on printmaking and then visit printmaking stations, many with demonstrations, throughout the gallery, representing many of the diverse methods of printmaking.

Don Zimmerman, interim president of Santa Barbara Printmakers said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to acquaint the public with the beauty and craft of the fine art print in its many forms as well as affording the opportunity for printmakers, both local and statewide, to display their work in a beautiful and accessible venue.”  

A Century of Success: Santa Barbara City College: November 23, 2009 - December, 2010    press release
City Hall Gallery

Opening Reception: December 1, 5 – 7pm

City Hall Gallery is honored to celebrate the centennial of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) with an exhibition of photographs depicting SBCC’s past and present.  Established by the Santa Barbara High School District in 1909, SBCC is one of the oldest community colleges in California.  The college was discontinued shortly after World War I, and its work largely taken over by the Santa Barbara State Normal School, which became the Santa Barbara State College and, later, the University of California, Santa Barbara.

SBCC was reorganized by the high school district in the fall of 1946.  Called Santa Barbara Junior College from its inception, the board of education formally changed the name to Santa Barbara City College in July 1959.  Since its reorganization following World War II, college growth has been rapid—both in enrollment and course offerings.  More than 19,000 students are currently enrolled in day and evening credit classes, and some 50,000 individuals enroll annually in noncredit Continuing Education Division classes. Students at Santa Barbara City College are privileged to study in one of the most beautiful locations in the world.

The first photos capture Santa Barbara in 1909; long before SBCC moved to the mesa. Businessman Thomas Dibblee built his grand sandstone mansion on the hilltop overlooking the Santa Barbara harbor in 1886; his home could be seen from all points downtown and along Santa Barbara’s coast, and vice versa.  The next owner was Major F.W. Leadbetter, for whom the beach below was named.  The structure was damaged in the 1925 earthquake, and Leadbetter did not rebuild.  Far-sighted Clarence Phelps, then-president of the Santa Barbara State Teachers College, had the prescience to secure state funds in 1931 to purchase 46 acres on Leadbetter mesa and 20 acres of land below for an athletic stadium.  This led to the development of UCSB, and SBCC became the fortunate beneficiary of the site when UCSB moved to Goleta in 1954.

By the late 50s and early 60s, SBCC really came into its own; enrollment grew to 3,500 by 1965 and SBCC had established its student government, its athletic program, academic clubs and a host of school spirit!  Photos of this period show the football champions, cheerleaders, the basketball team, and Miss SBCC!  Academic offerings also grew into a robust program offering several degrees, transfer-ready curriculum to four year institutions and career programs such as culinary arts, nursing, marine diving technology and more.

Passage of a 1969 construction bond issue and a 1973 land acquisition bond issue ensured the development of the West Campus, where a new theater, new library, business and communications center and learning resource center were built.  The history of Santa Barbara City College was written by the greater Santa Barbara community—concerned and active citizens with a strong belief in the power of education and in the accessibility of higher education to all.

 “The Foundation for SBCC is proud to present this photo exhibition in celebration of the college’s centennial”, said Stefanie Davis, manager of marketing for the Foundation for SBCC, “Our organization, now 33 years old, grew from the community’s commitment to SBCC, and its determination to support and sustain the most successful community college in California.  Happy Anniversary SBCC!”