1^st Thursday Venues

“Summer's Muse” features contemporary paintings and sculptures by local artists Laurie MacMillan, Iben Vestergaard, Karen Zazon, Jo Merit, Eugene Galles, Madeline Garrett, Marlene Struss, Pamela Grau, Patrick McGinnis, Diane Giles, and Patricia Post. Exhibit open through July 11. (Image: “The Thinker” by Patricia Post)

Blissful Boutiques Summer Store will be open July 2^nd - August 6^th (Wednesday - Sunday). One of our featured vendors is Trinidad3Jeans. GQ Magazine recently featured actor Sam Ashgari wearing Trinidad’s jeans on the cover of their June edition. We have many other amazing vendors as well. Come check us out!

Come view the Santa Barbara Art Association’s exhibition “Stepping Out.” This diverse and exuberant 2-dimensional exhibition highlights 60 works by local artists. “Stepping Out” invites the viewer to reflect outside the pandemic’s shadow.

Enjoy local artist Nancy Freemans' solo exhibition with guitarist Chris Judge and saxophonist Colin Richardsons’ exquisite music. Ms. Freemans' oil paintings are a skillful interpretation of the beauty of her world. Mr. Judge and Mr. Richardson's duet will enhance your experience with jazz and pop.

domecíl presents Santa Barbara-based artist, garden designer, and poet Gudrun Bortman who will display her beautiful and truly unique fabric paintings. Also, don’t miss the chance to purchase work from a local master woodworker, Ben Kenan, who will offer his handmade cutting boards and other wooden home goods.  

Join Engel & Völkers for music by DJ Darla Bea, fine wine, and hors d'oeuvres! Featuring artwork from the unique collection of House of Jisan - a modern tapestry house devoted to the curation and creation of woven textile art from the 1900s to the present. Supported by Indian Pink, Berryman, and Roxanne Dorée.

The Santa Barbara Art Association presents a show juried by Fran Collin of diverse original artwork by some of its 500 members. This is the 70^th Anniversary for SBAA! (Image: “Pelican” by Chris Pronezano)

Flight 805 is a journey through classic music that defines high-energy, danceable rock, including greats such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Aerosmith. Your flight crew for this high-flying experience includes Tom Banigan (bass & vocals), Todd Gamble (lead guitar & vocals), Geoffrey Gray (drums), and Mike Morse (guitar & vocals).

Take an evening to nourish your soul on our Historic Presidio Patio. Experience energized wines, elevate to live music, and enjoy tasty bites as we celebrate our inaugural 1^st Thursday pop-up!

Santa Barbara Art Association members exhibit here. The artist of the month is Wendy Brewer showing her mixed media mosaic pieces. Featured artists are Virginia Kamhi, Deidre Stietzel, Charlotte Mullich, Chris Provenzano, and Sue Slater. Many other members showcase their art in a variety of media in the group show.

It's game-on at Paseo Nuevo’s GAME NIGHT, a free night of fun for the whole family! Challenge friends and family at gaming stations throughout the courtyard; jumbo chess, jumbo Jenga, hands-free VR games from MOXI Museum, corn hole, bocce ball, open roller-skating section with music, plus fun surprises!

Join us for the opening reception of “COLLECTION TWO” inspired by pop art. Artwork by Andy Warhol, John CRASH Matos, THE SKATEROOM, and Yoshitomo Nara. Also, presenting local artists Wallace Piatt, Nicole Delesalle, Josh Soskin, Chris Gocong, Rod Lathim, Lisa Trivell, and Gigi Crisa. Enjoy special libations, sparkling water, and music.

Plants and their people! This 1^st Thursday we are celebrating our community with an interactive exhibition for you to share your story with plants. Enjoy live music, beer, and a photo booth. Look forward to seeing you there!

Ruairi, originally from Ireland, operates the Visitor Center in Santa Barbara. He is an artist with an emphasis on sculpting but started painting portraits of people 3 years ago. He paints people in the community who inspire him in the fields of social justice, or artists and musicians.

Take a summer stroll to LONETREE in Victoria Court! Sip on a glass of Kompas Club wine while you enjoy beautiful décor and conversation. We have new lighting, art, and more. We look forward to seeing you!

Please join us for “Wish You Were Here” a solo exhibition of Tel Aviv-based artist, Orit Fuchs. This is a great opportunity to view Orit's paintings and digital works. Hope to see you there!

Enjoy happy hour with art, music, and friends at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara during Curated Cocktails -- a popular culture and libations series, presented in conjunction with Downtown Santa Barbara’s monthly 1^st Thursday series.

From blossoms to baseball artworks, come see Peter's beautiful new studio/gallery and help celebrate his inaugural 1^st Thursday event! Wine and good times served. 

The Harbor Show's Brian Maclaren teaches watercolor at SBAW. Brian is also a crew coach at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Brian was inspired by the sights of the Harbor and used this inspiration to teach his class and paint the many featured watercolor paintings. Enjoy music and art by 20 other artists.

Join us to celebrate our 5-year Anniversary! Serving cake, premium wine, and champagne. Enjoy the Michael Drury exhibition Far and Near, plus 15 local landscape artists, and Bud Bottom marine sculptures. 

Project Fiesta: A History of Old Spanish Days In celebration of 98 years of Fiesta, explore our exhibition featuring beautiful costumes, posters, and historical photos. Always family-friendly. 

Join SBMA for Family 1^st Thursday in the Family Resource Center (5:30 - 7:30 pm) for a Teaching Artist-led activity for the whole family. Experiment with composition, color, and texture by creating a collage of boldly-hued and patterned squares on black paper. Afterward, enjoy the galleries until 8:00 pm.

“Splintered Reverie” celebrates the volatile imagination of Lora Wereb and her work as an experimental photographer. Enjoy delicious Indian entrees by Nimita’s Cuisine and jubilant beats by Grease Withaspoon. Then, once night falls experience projected artwork by The Environment Makers. A tribute to Lora’s life and adventures begins at 8:00 pm.

This month we are featuring Nicole Noren’s BETSY & IRV. In this story of survival, an unexpected hero provided help as Betsy confronted a predator, an institution, and a justice system. Showtimes are 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm. Runtime: 16 minutes.

Join us every 1^st Thursday on the 1000 Block of State Street, between Carrillo and Figueroa streets. Shop local from businesses and crafters alike, as well as enjoy food from surrounding restaurants, and LIVE performances by local artists!

Join us for the opening reception for tandem solo shows by Leslie Lewis Sigler, and Mary-Austin Klein. Also on view: Patricia Chidlaw - The Pool Show, and our Summer Salon.

One of Art Crawl’s original founders, Andi Garcia is a passionate warrior for Santa Barbara arts. She is the perfect person to track down hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-track locations for this curated Art Crawl. Meet Andi at the steps to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art at 5:30 pm, and wear comfy shoes so you can crawl in comfort. 

The Gallery features figurative works, interiors, and cityscapes, by some of today’s finest nationally known local and Oak Group artists. Enjoy works by Ray Hunter, Derek Harrison. Wyllis Heaton, Camille Dellar, Ann Sanders, Thomas Van Stein, Nancy Davidson, Rick Garcia, Ellie Freudenstein, and Ralph Waterhouse.

Wylde Works presents plein air paintings of the Santa Barbara coast. Spencer the Gardener performs songs for the kiddos from his album "Organic Gangster" (5:00 pm) plus more live music throughout the night. Wylde Works, Culture and Curious Drinks.