3rd Annual County Arts Symposium

Anybody who knows anything knows that in Santa Barbara we have
some of the most creative, soulful, and brilliant artists in the
world. Not that there’s anything wrong with the art coming out of
Los Angeles and New York, but the Santa Barbara art scene is truly
extraordinary — with its long distinguished, still dynamic
plein air painting and assemblage art traditions, its
contemporary conceptual geniuses, its sculptors, and its performing
artists.

One of the most extraordinary things about Santa Barbara artists
is they continue to hang in here. It can be quite exhausting, both
for the artists who constantly need funding and for the patrons,
whose pavements keep getting pounded for dough. To that end,
artists, patrons, advocates, and educators are invited to come to
the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion this coming Thursday, February 22. The
purpose? To conspire and develop even more ways of getting artists
the support they need.

The event is the third annual County Arts Symposium, sponsored
by the County Arts Commission, which has already created numerous
ways to keep artists funded. One very successful avenue is for
small groups to collaborate with larger groups — like the Santa
Barbara Museum of Art — to create events and sponsor gallery
spaces. But more ideas are always needed.

So come ready to brainstorm and share with others. The symposium
costs $15, but that includes delicious sandwiches and coffee by
caterer Mary Bartoli. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs ’til 3:30
p.m. Visit sbartscommission.org or call
568-3990.   — Martha Sadler