1stThursday is an award winning program highlighting downtown arts, culture and entertainment on the first Thursday of every month. All 1st Thursday attractions are free from 5-8 p.m.
The next 1st Thursday event is scheduled for Thursday, July 2nd. What a great way to kick-off a fun-filled Independence Day weekend!
Click on one of the links below for more information.
1st Thursday is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and art-related venues offer free access to visual and performing art in a fun and social environment from 5-8 p.m. 1st Thursday venues feature attractions, such as art openings, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities. In addition, State Street comes alive on 1st Thursday with performances and interactive exhibits. Look for previews of forthcoming plays, symphony performances, concerts and dance productions, as well as local up-and-coming performers. The Downtown Organization also partners with Santa Barbara cultural groups for one-time 1st Thursday attractions.
1st Thursday is for locals and visitors alike. It provides an opportunity for residents to indulge in local culture, mingle with neighbors and participate in the arts community. The program also offers visitors the chance to experience, in one evening, the diversity of downtown Santa Barbara’s visual and performing arts scene. 1st Thursday is aimed at developing a lively atmosphere downtown as well as showcasing the cultural variety that Santa Barbara has to offer.
The 1st Thursday Passport is a printed guide and map to all of the 1st Thursday attractions and are available at participating galleries and venues, MTD shuttles, The Visitors’ Center, and hotel concierge desks. OR you can download a printable version above.
Expect something special in art and culture on the first Thursday of every month!
In a rotating summer show, Artamo presents fresh works by artists Janet Bothne, Michael Kessler, Elana Kundell, Hyunmee Lee, Michael Moon, Julia Pinkham, and other gallery artists. Also introducing established abstract artist Tamar Kander, from Bloomington, Indiana. Refreshments served. ART HELPS destination.
International artist, sculptor and filmmaker Rita Blitt has opened a new gallery named after her internationally award winning film. The six minute film will be shown in the gallery along with many of her dancing sculptures and works on paper and canvas. Classical pianist Bryan Tari will perform.
CHANNING PEAKE GALLERY 105 East Anapamu Street, 1st Floor of the County Administration Building
(805) 568-3990
The Magical and Curious Realms of Ralph Auf der Heide, curated by Rita Ferri, visits the whimsical and colorful reverse folk paintings on plexiglass from the collection of his wife Lisl Auf der Heide; accompanied by limericks written by Lisl to complement his works.
Presenting works by Robert Foley a contemporary artist who explores the intricacies of patterns. Also showcasing works by Patrick Aumonts, an assemblage sculptor who specializes in using antiques to create his pieces.
GALLERY 113 1114 State Street, #8, in La Arcada Court
(805) 965-6611
Peter Worsley is the Artist of the Month with Interactions: Recent Genre Paintingswhich depicts interactions between interesting people he has seen, but usually did not get to know. He is fascinated by people who can trigger a thought from your past. On the Edge Artists also has a show on the mezzanine while various SBAA artists host a group show downstairs.
Showcasing works by Santa Barbara icon James "Bud" Bottoms whose fascination for earth’s creatures leads him to sculpt snails to condors - wherever he finds inspiration and beauty, which has naturally evolved into a passion for environmental activism. He has shared his gift by building fountains and monuments that can be found throughout the world.
Presenting An Evening with Marnie Weber, with a lecture and films by this LA-based multimedia artist and filmmaker. Weber’s work often features circus bears, the Greek goddess Artemis, and half-human/half-animal hybrids in vivid, colorful, ornate environments and dark, eerie landscapes. Lecture at 7pm.
Brett Weston: Out of the Shadow- the largest retrospective of Brett Weston’s art in over 30 years. This exhibit surveys Weston’s nearly 70-year career showcasing more than 130 photographs that range from early prints made in Mexico and California in the 1920s to landscape and nature photographs taken shortly before his death in Hawaii in 1993.
STOREFRONT GALLERY PROJECT
801 State Street
Beginning in July the Storefront Gallery Project will feature historic photographs in vacant store fronts throughout the Historic Cultural Arts District and Old Town. Exhibits curated by Brett Leigh Dicks. Maps of additional Storefront Galleries can be picked up at 801 State Street.
Abstractions by Los Angeles Modernist Edgar Ewing, who was a prominent figure in the Los Angeles art scene, teaching at USC for over thirty years. His brightly colored abstractions draw from the Cubist tradition as well as his fascination with ancient Greek culture and the Southwest United States. ART HELPS destination.
A program uniting art patronage with charitable giving. Cultural venues have partnered with Unity Shoppe to collect essential items for local families in need. For July, please bring canned meat items (i.e. tuna, chicken, spam, etc.). Patrons who donate will receive an ART HELPS campaign button along with a discount on art purchases with a portion of the proceeds going towards Unity Shoppe.
The Bomb began 12 years ago as a four piece R&B band and has expanded to whatever the demand calls for. The versatility of the band makes it stand alone as it appeals to a wide audience. The Bomb loves to play anything from jazz, rock, blues, funk, to a big band sound – whatever gets the crowd moving!
BUTTON MAKING STATION
Corner of Anapamu and State Streets, SBMA
High quality buttons are easy to make for kids and grown-ups alike. Choose a picture from a magazine, draw a smiley face, display a favorite picture, bring your own design to create a personalized button, or maybe you’d rather make a button for someone special. Just use your imagination and have fun!
Fred moved to Santa Barbara a year ago after fine-tuning his skills with talented musicians from the Midwest. With no formal musical training or knowledge, Fred uses his musical experiences to write sounds that are pleasing to all ears. He hopes you enjoy the show as he spreads his acoustic infused classic-reggae-rock sound here in Santa Barbara!
Come hear three of Music Academy’s fabulous chamber ensembles - a string quartet from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York; the Academy’s renowned brass ensemble; and The Music Academy percussion studio. The percussion studio will finish the program with the dazzling Drumming by composer Steve Reich.
1st THURSDAY PARTNER EVENTS In addition to cruising the best downtown art venues, check out what’s being offered each month by our 1st Thursday partners. Partners are located in the same neighborhood as participating art venues so it’s easy to drop in and check out the fun, cultural programming being offered. Each month look for new and different partners to round out the lineup.
Benefiting LifeChronicles, join the opening reception for Capture the Essence. Ten diverse artists detail the beauty in their lives through paintings, watercolors, photography, mosaic, sculpture, and glass art creating beautiful works of art for your collection. Music, refreshments and a cup of cheer make this a must stop on your 1st Thursday tour.
Arcobaleno Trade and Hummingbird Cafe welcome musicians for an exciting 1st Thursdayopen mic night. Also live art and henna painting on site. Join us for refreshments and fun!
Artist reception with renowned California plein air oil painter Ray Cuevas. Also featuring the gem artistry of jewelry designer Maurice Moreno who will unveil his private collection of aquamarines, imperial topaz and tourmalines, never before shown in America. A portion of proceeds to benefit Sarah House of Santa Barbara. Refreshments.
Book signing and discussion with photographer Monique Fay, "The Book of Fay." Monique captures the life force of our planet’s natural elements and transforms them into magnificent, enticing images with such energy and depth they will stir your imagination. Refreshments.
Santa Barbara Giclee, a premier fine art capture and print making studio, presents The Art of Reproduction, a unique show introducing limited edition archival prints and canvases signed by some of Santa Barbara’s most creative artists. Canvas, watercolor, airbrush, fine art photography and mixed media reproductions. Accompanied by selections from Proximity Theater group’s wildly unique musical "The Marvellous Story of Shandy Wilkes." Refreshments. ART HELPS Destination.
Mary Freericks is very active in the local art community and loves working wet and wild in watercolors painting flowers, still lives and landscapes. She also sketches musicians, works with acrylics and oil monotypes, and paints on porcelain. She has been compared to Rauol Dufy and has an M.F.A. from Columbia University School of the Arts.
Marvel at creation by the Coastal Quilters Guild of Santa Barbara and Goleta. Featuring interpretations of the Guild’s quilting challenge, "The Art of Travel Posters". This exhibit is a celebration of beauty and art that has the power to whisk you away to exotic locales. Artist reception.
Presenting Faces of Change, an inspiring portrait collection by Santa Ynez native Erica Flores. Her works in acrylic and chalk bring the essence of contemporary and historic leaders into her gallery debut. Also featuring an ethics discussion, a rendition of the I Have a Dream speech and a short film presentation. Artist reception and live music.
IMAGINE
11 West Canon Perdido Street
(805) 899-3700
Presenting the works of Robert Redfield. Robert enjoys creating revealing portraits, band images and city-found art. He hopes you find them interesting, and most of all, he hopes they make you feel. Shown in conjunction with the current exhibit at Arigato Sushi. Artist reception.
Works by Welmoet Glover: presently focused on floral depictions, Welmoet is inspired by the beauty of our natural surroundings. Her pastels and acrylics grace many homes and help turn a room into an atmosphere.
SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY
40 East Anapamu Street
Figurative Connotations (Rigmarole): Anthropo- morphization, 5th one person show by J. Stine (aka J. Tompkins): IPSO FACTO.
Award-winning local artist, Rick Garcia blends his love of nature and the Plein Air movement with his commercial training. View his captivating flora, fauna and landscapes paintings.
It’s all about the locals: presenting the artwork of local painter Isabel Divine Brady while local reggae-folk artist Owen Plant supplies the tunes. Also enjoy gourmet refreshments from locally owned Teeccino and Earthen Catering. Good times for all!
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