Sea Glass Half-full

Welcoming lovers of sea glass and ocean-inspired art, the annual Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival will take place on Sept. 14-15 at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge and events venue. The festival gathers collectors and artists from up and down the coast to display their handcrafted creations with showcases, marketplaces, and education skills workshops for all to enjoy.

“Picturesque Santa Barbara is the perfect site for our artisan-driven sea glass festival. All of our participants, followers and attendees share a passion for the sea’s treasures, and for creating incredible art that uniquely connects nature and creativity,” says Louise Sciutto, festival organizer.

This year’s festival will include a treasure contest, hand-crafted jewelry and visual art for sale, hands-on workshops, and a discussion led by expert and educator Mary T. McCarthy, who will discuss how to identify the historical origins of sea glass.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and free for those under 12 years old. Two-day passes are $12 and parking is free.

For more information and for presale tickets, visit www.santabarbaraseaglassandoceanartsfestival.com.