I Madonnari Street Painting Festival

Art enthusiasts from near and far are invited to the 38th I Madonnari Street Painting Festival at the Old Mission Santa Barbara this Memorial Day Weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 25, 26, and 27.

I Madonnari, the first festival of its kind in North America, is produced by and raises vital funding for the Children’s Creative Project (CCP), a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

Originally inspired by the International Street Painting Competition in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, the festival will feature over 140 chalk pastel street paintings drawn live in front of the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Live music and a food market will be available for enjoyment on the Mission lawn throughout the three-day event, with local vendors such as Dave’s Dogs, Elubia’s, and Nimita’s Cuisine, as well as traditional favorites like the much-loved lemon-rosemary roasted chicken, pizza, gelato, and more.

The CCP staff and Board of Directors produce the festival with volunteers from the National Charity League and the Boys Charity League. CCP is grateful to work with the expertise of Eji Event Co. and WA Event Management for festival support as well. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Creative Project and its vital arts programs in county public schools.

Music performances include local talents such as Mezcal Martini, The Brasscals, Mark and the Logistics, and exceptional youth performances from several local junior high and high school jazz bands and choirs. The youth performances are sponsored by the Santa Barbara Bowl.

An expanded area for children to create street paintings will be located on the west side of the Mission. Throughout the three-day event, over 600 Kids’ Squares, which include a box of chalk, can be purchased for $15.

This year, the festival will be accessible via a new Santa Barbara Trolley Route, with pick-up points at the Visitors Center on Cabrillo Boulevard and the Santa Barbara Public Library Downtown on Anacapa Street.

More information can be found at: https://ccp.sbceo.org/about-the-festival The 2024 I Madonnari festival is made possible by the generosity of many local individuals, foundations, and businesses. The year’s top sponsors include Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, Bella Vista Designs, The Berry Man. Additional sponsors include Santa Barbara Beautiful, Kendall Rhode and Associates, Boys Charity League, COX Communications, Eji Event Co., Community West Bank, Haagen Printing/Typecraft Inc., KEYT NewsChannel3, Los Agaves, Montecito Bank and Trust, National Charity League, NS Ceramics, Pacific Beverage and Firestone, Santa Barbara Beautiful, Voice Magazine, V3 Printing, Santa Barbara Bowl, Thorlabs, Veronique Chevalier – PrismaVera, Ventura Party Rentals. Children’s Creative Project gives a special thank you to the  Old Mission Santa Barbara for hosting the 38th annual I Madonnari Festival. The organization also thanks and acknowledges Elly Iverson, Warner Events Management, and the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

Major sponsorship opportunities are available. More information can be found here: https://ccp.sbceo.org/major-festival-sponsorship

A final ceremony will take place on Monday, May 27, at 12:00 pm on the Mission steps to introduce and thank our major festival sponsors and featured artist Emily Lostaunau.