On view | November 5 – November 8, 2026
WILLARD SUITCASES
Photography by Jon Crispin
We invite you to experience The Willard Suitcases, a moving photographic exhibition by acclaimed photographer Jon Crispin, presented in partnership with New Beginnings Counseling Center. Art & Soul is honored to host New Beginnings' 2026 Annual Benefit Gala in conjunction with this exhibition, bringing art and community together in support of mental health awareness and compassionate care.
When the Willard Psychiatric Center in upstate New York closed in 1995, more than 400 suitcases belonging to former patients were discovered in its attic. Filled with clothing, photographs, letters, and personal belongings, these extraordinary artifacts offer intimate glimpses into lives largely forgotten.
Since 2011, Crispin has carefully documented this collection, revealing the individuality and humanity of those who once called Willard home. His photographs invite us to look beyond the stigma of mental illness and recognize the personal stories, memories, and identities behind each suitcase.
Through this powerful exhibition and our partnership with New Beginnings, we hope to inspire meaningful conversations about mental health, dignity, compassion, and our shared humanity.
ARTIST RECEPTION
1st Thursday | November 5 | 5–8PM
AFTERNOONS WITH ARTISTS
Saturday | November 7 | 3–5PM
The Atelier Collective
Art & Soul is pleased to present unique and inspiring creative spaces that tell the stories of individual artists within the collective spirit of the gallery. From familiar names to emerging talents, these intimate galleries deliver art with commanding presence. Experience these galleries within the gallery—curated for closer connection to the art.
Art With Heart | NOVEMBER
NEW BEGINNINGS
Changing Lives for 50 Years
New Beginnings is a non-profit organization that provides psychological counseling and housing assistance services to the homeless, as well as low-income individuals and families throughout Santa Barbara County. Through the Counseling Center, the Safe Parking Shelter and Rapid Rehousing Program, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, and the Life Skills Parenting and Education Program, New Beginnings serves approximately 2,000 people each year.
By donating, your gift helps ensure that New Beginnings can more efficiently welcome and serve our most vulnerable community members with their most pressing problems.
Wines with Soul | November
Sandhi Wines + White Buffalo Land Trust
At Art & Soul, we believe that great art deserves a perfect pairing. Each month, we feature a wine that complements the spirit and style of our current exhibition.
This month, we are proud to welcome Sandhi Wines. Here, winemaking is rooted in a deep connection to the land—working with nature, expressing its character, and giving something back along the way.
Since 2021, Sandhi has partnered with White Buffalo Land Trust, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit dedicated to restoring healthy soils, increasing biodiversity, and advancing regenerative agriculture. At White Buffalo’s 1,000-acre Jalama Canyon Ranch, Sandhi purchases the entire crop of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from its five-acre vineyard, crafting wines that reflect this remarkable landscape while directing proceeds from their sales back to the Land Trust.
The partnership brings together thoughtful winemaking and responsible land stewardship, creating wines that celebrate not only where they come from, but what can be given back.
