happenings
1st Thursday | July 2nd | 5–8 PM
Viridian Shores
This 1st Thursday, fully immerse yourself in the spirit of Santa Barbara summer, accompanied by Fairweather wines, lite bites, and the sweet sounds of local guitarist, Jessie Rose! From the coastal inspiration of Viridian Shores and the Atelier Collective to the handcrafted sea sculptures by Kai Bostwick, there's something for everyone this summer at Art & Soul.
Lucia de Miguel’s Viridian Shores is a new body of work shaped by imagination, travel, and lived experience. Through Viridian Shores, de Miguel invites viewers into vivid coastal environments that evoke joy, wonder, and a sense of adventure, while also serving as a deeply personal visual record of landscapes that have shaped her experience.
Explore the Atelier Collective, 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 —curated for closer connection to the art. With 6 incredible artists ranging from sculpture and fine art to photography and abstract works, there's something for everyone this 1st Thursday!
SUNDAY | JULY 5 | 11 – 1 PM
PAINTING THE PACIFIC
Ready to unleash your creativity? Come along to Painting the Pacific, a boutique in-person event where you'll dive into vibrant ocean-inspired art, led by Hope Christopherson.
Hope Christofferson is a painter and illustrator whose work blends nature, mythology, and storytelling. Raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota and inspired by a lifelong love of folklore and the natural world, she creates watercolor and oil paintings that weave together fantasy, symbolism, and observation. Through her travels, artist residencies, and time spent painting outdoors, Hope explores how myth and imagination can help us better understand our relationship to nature, memory, and the world around us.
Whether you're a newbie or a pro, it's all about having fun and letting those brushstrokes flow. Meet fellow art lovers, soak up the good vibes, and create your own masterpiece. Don’t miss out on this colorful adventure!
Click HERE more information and to reserve your spot today! Space is limited.
Peace Art | July 16 – July 18
Sacred Tibetan Sand Mandala
The Santa Barbara Summit for Tibet, Santa Barbara Friends of Tibet, and Art & Soul are honored to invite the community to two extraordinary summer events celebrating Tibetan culture and the 91st Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 91st Birthday – a vibrant afternoon of music, dance and community, including cultural performances, official proclamations, authentic Himalayan cuisine, and an interactive celebratory dance circle dedicated to global peace and love.
- Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
- Saturday, June 27th from 2p - 4p
Peace Art: Sacred Tibetan Sand Mandala – witness the meticulous creation of a traditional sacred sand mandala. We are privileged to host Tibetan monks from Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Art & Soul, 1323 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
- Thursday, July 16th through Saturday, July 18th
- 10am – 6pm
Peace Walk : Sunday Closing Ceremony – The dissolution and blessing of the mandala, followed by a Peace Walk down State Street to the Santa Barbara Pier, where together we will release the mandala sand into the ocean, sharing the community's healing energy and love for world peace.
- Art & Soul, 1323 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
- Sunday, July 19th
- 9:00am – Final Dissolution and Mandala Blessing
- 10:00am – Peace Walk
OPENING RECEPTION | JULY 24 | 5–8PM
Cosas de la Vida
Art & Soul is pleased to present Cosas de la Vida, a two-person exhibition featuring new works by celebrated Santa Barbara artists Pedro De La Cruz and Olivia Joffrey.
Though their visual languages are distinctly their own, both artists explore what it means to move through contemporary life while carrying the weight—and wonder—of culture, memory, responsibility, identity, and human connection.
For Pedro De La Cruz, everyday life becomes a vibrant celebration. Recently selected as the artist behind the official 2026 Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster, Pedro has become one of Santa Barbara's most recognizable artistic voices, creating imagery that celebrates the city's cultural traditions and enduring spirit.
Olivia Joffrey approaches similar themes from a more introspective perspective. Joffrey's thoughtful visual storytelling recently earned her the commission for the cover of Santa Barbara Magazine's landmark 50th Anniversary Homes & Gardens issue, further establishing her as one of the region's distinctive contemporary illustrators.
Presented during Santa Barbara's Fiesta season, Cosas de la Vida offers a timely reflection on the stories we inherit, the burdens we carry, and the traditions and experiences that connect us. Through celebration, humor, reflection, and resilience, the exhibition explores the many "things of life" that shape our shared human experience.
