Art Abounds: ‘Artful Minds’ & LUM Unleashed 

Santa Barbara’s Mental Wellness Center kicks off National Mental Health Awareness Month with its popular art show on the beachfront lawn opposite Chase Palm Park from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, May 4. The 28th annual Arts Faire event showcases the talents of approximately 60 local artists who are living with mental illness, works encompassing a variety of visual media including painting, drawing, jewelry and sculpture. Many of the artists first discovered their artistic gifts as participants in MWC’s Fellowship Club, where peer educators and an art specialist help them explore their emotions through self-expression. This year also features a collaborative community-based art project where visitors are encouraged to share personal sentiments regarding what mental health means to them. Visit https://mentalwellnesscenter.org for more about the organization’s method of marking May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Just an hour later, MCASB hosts the launch party to celebrate the publication of issue seven of LUM Art Magazine from 4-6 pm at Paseo Nuevo Mall. The museum expects visits from many of the LUM artists, writers and contributors and will be serving tamales, aguas frescas and pa-LUM-as (palomas) thanks to Ysidro Sake Spritz, plus other fun treats to enhance celebrating contemporary art and culture on California’s Central Coast. Visit https://www.mcasantabarbara.org/event/lumissue07.