Transforming Vacant Spaces: The Downtown Window Beautification Program

At the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA), our mission is to create a welcoming, vibrant, and economically vital environment where local businesses can thrive. One of our favorite recent initiatives to support this goal is the Downtown Window Beautification Program.

Art as an Economic Engine

The program was designed to transform vacant storefront windows into vibrant works of art. By activating these "quiet" spaces, we aren't just improving the aesthetic of State Street—we are presenting prospective business spaces as active, visible, and ready for new opportunities.

To bring this vision to life, we partnered with talented Santa Barbara County artists. Their work was custom-formatted and printed on high-quality window film, turning empty glass into a street-side gallery. This effort was a true community collaboration, made possible by the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture, Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, Historic Landmark Commission, SB Signs, PIP Printing, and Graphic Designer Irene Ramirez.

The Inaugural Artists & Locations

During our launch event—which coincided with a festive 1st Thursday Art Walk—we officially designated our first four activated storefronts as Art Walk venues. We are proud to feature:

Alli Berry – 1235 State St.
Elisa Rodriguez – 811H Paseo Nuevo
Miles Shapleigh – 913 State St.
Brad Betts – 428 State St.

Looking Ahead

This program is just one part of DSBIA’s ongoing commitment to beautification and economic health within our community benefit improvement district. As we move forward, we plan to install more of these artworks to ensure that every block of our downtown remains an inviting place for the community to enjoy.

Interested in seeing the full gallery? You can find more details and view all of our current installations on the Downtown Window Beautification Program page.