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 1st Thursday is an exciting new 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.
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 other art-related venues will offer free access to art in a fun and social environment from 5-8 p.m. 1st Thursday venues will also provide additional attractions, such as art openings, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings, and hands-on activities. In addition to gallery receptions, State Street will come 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 will also partner 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.
As an added bonus, MTD shuttles will be available to help people move easily between galleries.
Printed guides with maps to all of the 1st Thursday attractions are available at participating galleries and venues, MTD shuttles, The Visitors’ Center, and hotel concierge desks. If you would like a copy sent to your home or office, please email info@sbdo.org and we will put you on the monthly mailing list. Click here to view an online version of the map and scroll down this page to find out what each gallery is offering for the 1st Thursday event on May 1st
Expect something special in art and culture on the first Thursday of every month!
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PARTICIPATING VENUES & June 5th PROGRAMMING
Artamo Gallery
11 West Anapamu Street
(805) 568-1400
Artist reception for Julia Pinkham and her exhibit In Transit, a year’s worth of her newest paintings. Pinkham combines surrealistic metaphors of life with a unique style of sensual movement and balanced colors. Champagne and chocolate served. Brooks Institute
27 East Cota Street
(805) 966-3888
As a part of Brooks’s International Documentary class, students travel abroad to document the lives and cultures of others. The program culminates with a multimedia and print show. View some of these video documentaries and prints from China: A Will to Rise and Ireland. Show times will rotate every 30 minutes.
On display, a collection of landscape paintings by Lockwood de Forest exploring the contrast of the artist’s early New York works to his later works in Santa Barbara. Jointly organized by Sullivan Goss and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, the collection consists of rarely seen paintings from private collections and the Sullivan Goss holdings from the Estate. Refreshments served.
Channing Peake Gallery
105 East Anapamu Street, 1st Floor County Administration Building
On display, The Essential Worker, a photodocumentary featuring the service industries in our community. Starting at 6:30pm, Santa Ynez’s Valley Community Theatre presents, Essential Workers Sing, selected vignettes from Working, a musical that explores the lives of hard-working men and women.
Dianna Bottoms Fine Arts
1114 State Street #26, located in La Arcada Court
(805) 962-5772
Browse collections of contemporary sculpture and representational pieces from a variety of local and visiting artists.
Presenting Glam: Vintage Fashion Photography, an exhibition exploring the history of glamour and fashion photography over a fifty year period. View classic fashion images and early black and white photographs that emanate femininity Elizabeth Gordon Gallery
15 West Gutierrez Street
(805) 963-1157
Come celebrate the official grand opening of the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery. Meet artist America Martin in the company of other art lovers. Refreshments served.
Hosting venue for our Kids' Art Contest. (see more information in Special Performances)
813 Anacapa Street
(805) 965-1812
Stop in to view new paintings by Matti Berglund. Her work combines her practical and creative nature with folk art elements from her childhood in Norway. Spencer Barnitz, Nate Birkey and Cougar Estrada experiment with the distinct sounds of jazz, pop-rock, salsa and Tex-Mex at 7pm. Refreshments served.
Gallery 113
1114 State Street, #8, located in La Arcada Court
(805) 965-6611
Featuring artist of the month, Margaret Nadeau, and her series of paintings. Also on display: Diane Hanley, Kristy Vantrease, Lily Sanders, Ann Sanders, Gerry Winant, Cary Wexlar, Romy Reicker and Lynne DeBoer. Refreshments served.
Gallery Ocho1221 State Street, Suite 8, located in Victoria Court (805) 965-3054
Presenting local painter, Warren Schultheis’s newest works that capture environmental concepts, locations and vector graphics within the larger context of identity and meaning. Also for kids of all ages, Crushcakes, Santa Barbara's yummiest new cupcakery, will be doing a special presentation on cupcake decorating.
324-d State Street
(805) 698-2174
The Gallery Collection, a show featuring various works from artists in Seattle, Los Angeles, South America and Santa Barbara. Featured artists: Joshua Elias, Amadea Bailey and Geoffrey G. Harrison. 10% of all sales will go to local school art programs
Artistic Impressions, a juried show by Sue Slater. The final selection will be approximately 50 pieces in a variety of mediums from 40 – 50 members of Artists of Step One. Refreshments served.
25 East de la Guerra Street
(805) 965-2525
Featuring Stephan Spicher, an internationally acclaimed Swiss artist and his collection of abstract expressionist paintings. Wine tasting by Alma Rosa Winery.
Quixotic
501 Chapala Street, Suite A (805) 568-1918
Felt, Fibre, Stone and Pearl, new works of inspired adornment by local artist, Laura Gasparrini. View collections of hand stitched pendants, opulent pearls and fanciful felted pins. Refreshments served.
Santa Barbara Arts
128 East Canon Perdido Street
(805) 884-1938
Featuring a live chain maille demonstration by local artist, Shelly Niro. Also browse a collection of beautiful sterling and gold chain maille pieces.
Featuring highlights from the Platform Animation Festival with a dizzying lineup of innovative work. This selection of films offers a rare opportunity to view the best and most daring work from the festival. The program showcases new animation by award-winning independent filmmakers such as Don Hertzfeld and Miwa Matreyek, plus work by the acclaimed Luis Cook from Aardman Animations. 7-9pm. Refreshments served. Santa Barbara Frame Shop & Gallery
1324 State Street, Suite J
(805) 963-2332
Hosting venue for our Kids' Art Contest. (see more information in Special Performances)
Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes: The Art of Children's Books
March 15 - June 15, 2008
Celebrate the art of the picture book with Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes, featuring classic illustrations such as Beatrix Potter’s pictures for The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Jean de Brunhoff’s pictures for The Travels of Babar. These original works, seen as independent creations while connecting to their literary context, will inspire the imagination and celebrate the art of the picture book.
Identities
November 3, 2007 – September 14, 2008
A collection of contemporary art from Asia, Europe, and the Americas through this exhibition of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs from 1980 to the present, exploring the theme of identity as both a collective consciousness and individual reflection. Featured artists use the visual arts to express personal feelings and cultural perceptions about racial, sexual, and cultural identity.
Shona Folklore, Art and African Stories is a humorous and engaging chat with our curator Tony Ponter. The curator will be telling old Shona tales about African animals and powerful guardian spirits. Children are encouraged to come draw what they see in the gallery and listen to the stories. For grown-ups, jewelry curator, Leslie Tribe, will lead a hands-on and educational pearl presentation. Refreshments served.
Studio 3 East
3 East de la Guerra Street, upstairs
(805) 452-6562
Artist reception for On Sacred Ground, a collection of striking photographs by Bobbi Bennett. Live music by jazz musicians Justin Claveria, Randy Tico and Mark Zier. Refreshments served.
Featuring West Coast Realism, a group showing of 10 artists including Flavors You Can't Forget by Robert Townsend. Also on exhibit, oils and watercolors by Betty Lane, Howard Warshaw and Anders Aldrin.
View some of the finest painters in the Western United States. Observe as Ralph Waterhouse does a quick drawing demonstration.
3rd Annual Young Filmmaker Festival Premiere 
Paseo Nuevo Center Court
Watch funny, silly and amazing short movies made by young directors ages 6-17 from all over Santa Barbara County. Everyone has a chance to vote for the Kidz Choice and Parent’s Choice award winning film. All voters will receive coupons to Whiz Kidz and other local retailers. 6-8pm.
Ballet Folklorico
900 State Street, In front of Borders
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with Peabody Charter School’s Ballet Folklorico dancers and mariachi band. Colorful skirts and festive music will be sure to brighten your evening. 5-6pm.
1214 State Street
(805) 899-3000
Stop in the theatre lobby for a glimpse of the Young Soloists Showcase premiering at The Granada on May 18, 2008. The Music & Arts Conservatory will be featuring the great young talent in Santa Barbara with a live performance. Refreshments served.
Hot Lava Band
At the corner of Anapamu and State Streets, in front of the Museum of Art
Enjoy kid-friendly popular rock songs performed by a group of musical parents who coalesced to entertain their children. 5-7pm.
Independent Pick - Paint Bash
610 State Street, outside
The SB Independent’s senior editors invite kids of all ages to the courtyard of Casa de la Guerra to pick up a paint brush and create your own work of art to take home.
Trenton Caine the Magician
Paseo Nuevo Place, at De la Guerra and State Streets
Magic is in the air on State Street. Bring the kids by and watch wonders become reality right before your eyes. You might even find you have a little hidden magic
VADA Student Painting Demo
900 State Street, In front of Borders
Watch the creation of art from start to finish as SB Scholarship Foundation Art Award winner, Michael Draghi, creates a masterpiece using big, bold graphics with spray paints.
Kids' Art Contest 
SBParent.com and the Downtown Organization present the 1st annual Kids’ Art Contest. All participants created a piece of art in 1 of 2 themes: “What does Santa Barbara mean to you?” or “What is your favorite place in Santa Barbara?”
You be the Judge. Vote for your favorite in each age group. Winners will be framed by Fast Frame and SB Frame Shop, receive a gift from Metro Entertainment and be on display at June’s 1st Thursday.
State & A Bar and Grill
1201 State Street, on the patio
Santa Barbara Frame Shop & Gallery
1324 State Street, Suite J, located in Arlington Plaza
Fast Frame
1333 State Street
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.
7 West Haley Street
(805) 963-2726
Presenting local ceramists, Penny Allin and Jim Williams’s, wheel-thrown, slab-rolled and hand modeled ceramic pieces. The surfaces are composed of layered glazes, slips and brushed oxides. Refreshments served.
15 East Anapamu Street
(805) 962-3321
Showcasing original artwork by Deanna Moreau-Cohen from her children's alphabet book, Outside Your Back Door. Both copies of the book and the original paintings will be available and the artist will be on hand to sign copies of the book and to discuss her work.
23 East Canon Perdido Street
805-965-6448
Arts for Humanity! (AH!) reception for Inside the Outside, an innovative and authentic exhibition of mixed media by artists with disabilities. Enjoy music and refreshments served.
Hood Rock Customs
1 West Ortega Street
(805) 845-7000
Stop in to see student artist, Rosalee Pfeffer’s paintings inspired by big cities streets and different cultures.
Health Gallery
1500 Chapala Street, Suite A
Om Garden, a multi-artist reception with a sacred opening ceremony at 5pm. Featured artists works include: Solomon Danoff’s Om Sculptures, Joan Manchak’s garden and floral oils on canvas, Ti de L’Arbre’s flower mandala, Diane Stevenette’s hand painted silk and bronze sculptures, Martine Dupuch’s hand painted silk and Daniel Bowen’s mandala paintings. Enjoy live music. Refreshments served.
1323 State Street
Meet artists, Anthony Askew and Seyburn Zorthian, and learn their printmaking and oriental brush painting techniques. Both artists will be creating original collage works throughout the evening. Refreshments served.
Michele Wilder
1A West Canon Perdido Street
(805) 966-6848
Featuring night photographer, Richard Brian, and his latest collection of photographs. Art hosted by Sadie Stern-Bustillos, local artist and Director of The Santa Barbara Arts Factory. Enjoy live art and music by Alfredo Peralta. Refreshments by Sarah Dandona.
Santa Barbara Public Library
40 East Anapamu Street
(805) 962-7653
Presenting award-winning 12-year-old, Aidan Hogge’s photography exhibit. Marguerite Lyons' Cards of Life a collection representing variations on the hand of cards we are dealt in life. Also, the Santa Barbara Art Association's 550 local artists present their work in a show juried by well-known colourist, Kathleen Elsey, with a demonstration by watercolorist Erin Williams. Michael Gonzales' 1981 Sumer Solstice Painting Dedication and Birthday Celebration. Lastly, Bernard Barcos’s Mostly Mexico, a photographic exhibition capturing the local character of Mexico. Refreshments served.
330 State Street, Suite D
(805) 962-2705
Presenting Santa Barbara landscape plein air artists, Thomas Mann and Ann Sanders. Also exhibiting both handmade and antique mission furniture, furnishings and lighting of the Arts and Crafts Era. Refreshments served.
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MAP OF 1ST THURSDAY VENUES & PERFORMANCES
Download the Passport to 1st Thursday destinations along with a convenient guide to the exciting programming offered by downtown galleries and cultural venues. Just click on the map to your right to begin planning your tour of downtown Santa Barbara's Historic Arts District. If you would like a copy sent to your home or office, please email info@sbdo.org and we will put you on the monthly mailing list. For your added convenience, M.T.D.'s Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle has extended hours for 1st Thursdays (through 8 p.m.). Only 25 cents a ride, this quick and easy transportation is an efficient way to explore the maximum number of destinations on your 1st Thursday tour! Just jump on at one of the many stops along State Street designated by the Downtown-Waterfront symbol: 
Just click the Downtown - Waterfront Shuttle symbol above for locations and routes.
Back to the top1st THURSDAY CALENDARListed below are the dates of all 1st Thursday events in 2008:
Thursday, January 3rd
Thursday, February 7th
Thursday, March 6th
Thursday, April 3rd
Thursday, May 1st
Thursday, June 5th
Thursday, July 3rd
Thursday, August 7th
Thursday, September 4th
Thursday, October 2nd
Thursday, November 6th
Thursday, December 4th
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