Hanging Around Town: Artwork to CAW About

Self-taught eco-artist Jami Joelle Nielsen asked 11 other local artists to create new works using recycled materials and centered on an environmental issue of their choice – including climate change, threatened species, fast fashion, problems facing pollinators, wildfires, tech and landfill waste, ocean plastics pollution, deforestation, and others. The result is The Recycled Show: No Waste Earth, which has its opening reception at the Community Arts Workshop on March 29. Each of the 12 artists – Mary Balda, Adrienne De Guevara, Kimberly Hahn, Sue Van Horsen, Dan Levin, Michael Long, Heidi Parker, Mary Price, Vanae Mary Rivera, Dug Uyesaka, Frank Whipple, and Nielsen herself – also composes an accompanying narrative regarding the significance of their chosen environmental concern. The reception will also feature a live interactive plastic “mandala” art assemblage, poetry reading, live music, a “Make a Fish Wish” for the planet activity, a showing of the environmental art film Wasteland, and tables manned by such local environmental organizations as SB Channelkeeper and Heal the Ocean. Light snacks and beverages will also be provided. All of the artwork at The Recycled Show: No Waste Earth is for sale, with a portion of sales supporting CAW. The exhibit runs March 28-April 2, with limited open viewings and by appointment. 

Also at CAW this week: Go Figure: Figurative Drawing Salon Exhibit, a free casual salon that includes figurative drawings and paintings from a large group of local artists in such mediums as watercolor, ink, charcoal, pastel and mixed media, displayed in multiple creative ways. The show is representative of the vibrant figure drawing group in Santa Barbara, who join in the timeless tradition of capturing the essence of life through their sketches, paintings and charcoal studies depicting the human figure. The stage will be set for volunteer models, with drawing materials provided for all to participate, at the salon set for 11 am to 4 pm on March 30 & 31. Visit www.sbcaw.org/upcoming.