AFSB Gallery Reception & Exhibition-Prayer Flags

The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce Prayer Flags & A Tale of Longing, an exhibition by Mary Heebner. An opening reception will be held at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara on Friday, September 9, from 5:00-7:00 pm. The exhibition runs September 10 – November 5, 2022.

This exhibition is three-fold. It consists of Heebner’s two-sided Prayer Flags, a spiral-bound artist’s book, A Tale of Longing, and a booklet, Elemental Offerings—all originating with Heebner’s travels to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India to see how prayer flags were made.

The artist’s book, Prayer Flags & A Tale of Longing, which reflects Heebner’s travels, is handwritten in cursive and printed letterpress, and has hand-painted, foil-stamped covers. The Tales accompanying Prayer Flags are presented together as a set in a ribboned cotton pouch inside an acrylic sleeve.

The booklet, Elemental Offerings, contains Heebner’s five prayers to the elements, printed digitally, accompanied by a colorful set of five cotton flags and placed in a cotton pouch.

Mary Heebner has distinguished herself in Santa Barbara and beyond as a multi-media artist, published writer and book artist. Her artworks are held in numerous public and private collections. She earned her B.A. and M.F.A. at UCSB and has long been a noted member of Santa Barbara’s art community.

The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara has been dedicated to enhancing our community’s appreciation of the built environment and creativity in art and design since 1983. The office and gallery are based in the historic Acheson House at the corner of Garden and East Victoria Streets in Santa Barbara. Gallery hours are Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.