The Gallery Montecito Closes

Earlier this month, The Gallery Montecito closed its doors after three years in business. Managed for the last year by director and curator Bobbi Bennett, the gallery, owned by Marjorie Layden, lived up to its mission of merging artistic works with philanthropic endeavors by creating non-profit events to benefit local charities. Most recently, the gallery donated Heal the Ocean and Mission Blue, and after the Thomas Fire and mudslide, each artists at the gallery made art donations, which helped three local artists who lost all their belongings in the fires.

“I have met amazing people from all over the world who purchased art from the gallery,” Bennett said. “All of the artists have been amazing, including, iconic rock-and-roll photographer Guy Webster, painters Rose Masterpol and Kellie Bolton, and photographers Will Pierce, Matt Draper, and Jennifer MaHarry.  What a fantastic experience being able to represent such amazing talent.”

Bennett is currently working on her new company, Stoked Surf Art by Bobbi Jo, featuring art on surfboards. She says she will continue to donate a portion of her proceeds to non-profit causes. The Gallery Montecito website is still active, and Bennett will continue to represent artists through the website. For more information, visit www.themontecitogallery.com. 

The space, which is owned by Lucky’s, will become a private dining room for the restaurant.